rt3

[j4277]

8a protectrive clothing round robin? (5,4) - *h*i* m*** - is it 'chain mail'?
6 russian emperor died in front of bed (5) - ***a* - is it 'divan'...but if so, why?

[BigMac]

8a - YES. "Round robin" is often now used in the snese of a chain of letters (mail), although that's nor how the terms was originally invented/used.

6. YES. 'd' = dead in front of Emperor Ivan = Divan = bed.

[sarumite]

Ivan (the great) russian emperor + d (died) = divan (bed)

[JMR27]

chain mail is correct
so is divan - Ivan + d (died) in front

[j4277]

Thank you one and all. I suppose one day I may understand the compiler's mind a little better!