The book explores Edward's life as prince and later king, analysing the events and politics of the time and the context of the royal court in his upbringing and his rule. It considers the extent to which the young king was himself involved in matters of state and assesses the governments of Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset, and of John Dudley, duke of Northumberland, both of whom ruled in his name. Loach questions the image of Edward as the 'godly imp' portrayed in John Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and advances the view that he was more concerned with obedience to his authority than with detailed points of doctrine.