Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

A good one imo. Can’t quite reconcile 34 but the unch has to be an I although I don’t see why that is also the extra letter.

My main query is, how do we make the grid into the theme? I can’t achieve it in the published dimensions. Do we need to elongate in some way?

Also a more general question since I am such a n00b: where we have e.g. ö, are we expected to include diacritics in the submission?

Hi N00b.
A lictor was an attendant of a Roman magistrate. Therefore (a)edile is senior to lictor.
I don't send in my solutions, but I don't see anywhere that you need to half-turn and join the sides of the grid. The general instruction is "explain..." followed by "highlight..." I assume that the highlighting constitutes an explanation.
In general, diacritics are ignored in both clues and answers.

Thanks Meursault, appreciate your time in replying, that clears things up for me. I’m still in honeymoon phase with the crossword, so all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. I always look forward to buying the paper on Saturday and derive a great deal of pleasure from the puzzles.

You're welcome, N00b. If you enjoy solving the puzzle, that's the main thing.