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...in other words - don't ever change, brendan}.

I logged in to thank Vagans - and do so. Glad to find that the heated dispute about symbols is now resolved amicably… but how wonderfully reflective of what were no doubt similarly charged theological exchanges around the time of the original illuminations. Tugged beards in the north east, anyone?

Following a hearty meal of crow with a side order of humble pie and a good night's sleep, I have now, correctly, completed this so thanks to Vagans for a truly wonderful puzzle.

I really pulled out all the stops in regards the highlighting and framing of the page in question, As some of you may know, I draw out my grids on white A4 paper which, I think, improves it as a visual spectacle - it doesn't compare with the original, of course, and modesty prevents me from going overboard but I will say that it's strikingly beautiful and one of my best yet (modestly put Brendan)😀

Massive thanks also to Drxx, Malone, Spoffy and Buddy for so patiently and politely putting up with my, at times, delusional rantings and to Jack for the sentiments expressed in @42.

After a practice run last night, I'm now off to collect my neighbours dog who I'll be looking after for the next 10 days - poor Bailey, he has no idea what he's in for 😂

... I wonder if my friend has pet insurance 🤔

Thanks, Brendan, that was all very kind of you. At no point did I consider you 'delusional, I might have opted for 'misguided' instead.

I fully expect your finished entry to be ... a work of art. I know how much time and effort you put into things like this, and how much pleasure you get from the activity.

Good luck with the dog-sitting.

I blame those Aussies, brendan (the unsportsmanlike...} still, art prevailed in the end, that's the main thing.

All done apart from 2 of the 5 clues without wordplay, namely 42a - "Poetic expression of Elizabethan India" (3) - and 43a - "Will's stock of children" (4). I think the third letter of the latter is c. It would have been helpful if the answer to 42a began with y (the final one of 21d) and that to 43a ended with y (the final one of 11d), but I don't think they do, certainly if I'm right about the c in 43a.

Son... 42 A does begin with a Y and is in Chambers.My 43 A doesn't have a C in it, but it's a very strange-looking word(ending in Y).

Many thanks for that Malone. It has helped me to locate both words in Chambers. Each of them are new to me but resolve what I felt was an issue which spoiled an otherwise enjoyable - although Brendan may have initially had a different view (best not to wrestle with the old chestnut of adjacent v contingent I think) ! - crossword.

Son... glad that was enough to help, my hints seemed rather meagre!

Stunning puzzle to which I came late. No quibbles with the bovine from yours truly.