Andrew, as I have said before, I have early Wills, for example, Thomas Pery, of Plymouth, dated 18th December 1438, Probate 20th February 1439. Many Parishes kept Registers before they became into common use. It is true to say most are in Latin, and perhaps there is a case for researchers to learn Latin and English, their meaning and usage, or find help from someone who does.
You say we should cross reference with 'modern experts', but where do they source their information if not from those same early records ? If they can examine them, then so could we, and avoid the risk of speculation, supposition, and interpretation. That would require doing a little more homework, for the sake of verity, but any serious genealogist would do so.
The alternative is to do no research, but copy ad lib all that 'modern experts' say. That might be easier, but not necessarily correct, and if so, is it worth the bother ?