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Have a look at the letters either side of the gap and see if a thematic item could be laid in the gap to make an apt city. The other one has continuous letters that will yield to grid-staring....

The clash at 24d is a thematic character in the work that is the overall theme.

The city with the gaps is in bottom row.

The other city is not a real one and is symmetrically placed around the middle of the grid.again it is found in the thematic work.

How does the definition work for 26 BOWMEN?
Also can I have a clue to 33 and 44. Thanks.

Everything sorted some time ago EXCEPT. 1A and 10D which don't seem to be troubling anyone else! Please would someone tell me whether I am looking for clashes or not, that would at least narrow down the options. My feeling is I am - certainly in 1A.

Essira 1ac is an 8 letter word with the fairy being PERI with ES plus two more letters from the clue (mixed up!)

Essira - the clash in 1ac is with 2dn, 3 letters and 1 letter respectively with the 1 winning if you get my drift.

I rarely visit here until grid fully complete but have to say this is a beast, not helped by being in the wilds of Scotland with no hard copy reference material. At least the typical (ahem!) local weather has encouraged me to stay indoors and complete the task! ;¬)

Thanks UNCLUED. That is what I have bee working on but not coming up with the answer! Senior moment I guess.
44 is word for indeed following word for beer making old spelling for tempers - (not in the angry sense)
33 I think is the usual word for women' quarters but I can't parse it.

Took a while to parse - think HAS for puts

Thanks both of you. I am just missing the wordplay for 38 in that corner. Presumably the answer is ATTAR.
I also don’t have 10 yet..

Indeed - ATTAP with R for P - also lacking 10! Have .UI. where latter dot may be a T or a clash.