Inquisitor 1314

[Neveracrossword]

27 A. Evil absent in the other Islamic services (6) ??a?at

35 D. Warship restricted by aged marine growth (5) ar???
(possibly ari??).

This is a thematic crossword, but I think/hope these clues are not involved!
Thanks for any help.

[boreas]

Hi Never

35D is ARAME

RAM=warship

AE= aged

ARAME is a seaweed.

[boreas]

. . . but I am struggling with 20D and 27A

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, boreas. I haven't got 20 D yet, but will post again if that changes.

[boreas]

Many thanks!

[Neveracrossword]

I think 20 D could be Alban (which I hope is an ancient kingdom). It's 'a' and 'l' (lecturer) and 'ban' , Hungarian governor).

[Neveracrossword]

...and that 27 A a bit easier.

[boreas]

You're right . . . I just looked up ALBAN in Chambers.

Ancient name for the kingdom of the Picts and Scots.

[boreas]

I think I have 27A

IBADAT = an Islamic service

BAD= evil
A= absent

Put them in-

IT= 'the other' ( 'a bit of the other' sex)

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, boreas - I'd got 'ibadat' right away when I put the 'b' (from 'Alban') in. Had to stop this to entertain visitors - am just getting back to it (my grid's almost full but my brain is empty re the theme!).

[boreas]

I have completed the grid and have the theme - which isn't quite as straightforward as the preamble makes out.

[boreas]

The 'enacting' is brilliant.

[Neveracrossword]

Well done, boreas. I have only one clue left to solve, various possibilities for the extra letters - and still no idea re the theme.

[IainGrace]

There's a flaw in this puzzle, isn't there, because you can identify the "five letter" clue and the spaces, and hence submit the answer without any idea as to what it's about?

[IainGrace]

Answering my own question, no you can't, because your entry will be wrong.

[boreas]

IainGrace,

Yes, I nearly missed the final action too.