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Thanks to Vismut for an enjoyable puzzle that taught me a lot I didn’t know about the thematic subject.

I have the 4 titular motifs (much enjoyed 60+ years ago) but can't find the associated thematic name, though I'm sure I know what it is. I can see what is nearly a city, but that doesn't help. Must be missing summat.

Cockie, the city is ... quite exotic, new to me! The thematic name is the obvious one, following on from all the gleaned letters. There weren't many instances of a vital letter. I stuck in the name, looked at all the crossers then checked (Googled) for a city!

I'm in Cockie's position but I also have a little niggle elsewhere. I assume the thematic name is 7 letters or possibly 4. 7 letters. No doubt getting that will make finding the city (eastern from Malone's hint?) easier. Is the name horizontal, vertical or diagonal? My niggle is at 11 across. If my unclued entry in the left-hand column is right what I have at 11 across seems to be a non-word. Is that dilemma resolved once the thematic name is entered? A nudge/violent shove in the right direction would be appreciated.

I think I'm going slightly mad here. I have the four edges as the singular form (in 3 cases) of works by the subject of the puzzle. But that requires only 8 of the letters of CHAFF OR IDIOM. And that's where I can't see what is wanted. In assume that the subject's other (second, in fact) name is what is to be "seen". Filling in the four titles makes a non-word at 11, so perhaps that's where I should be looking ... but it does begin with the letter I want. Since it's now Tuesday and I have the rest of my life to lead I'd appreciate a nudge!

Great minds think - or fail to think - alike, Alwayspuzzled!

Cockie and AP, 11 A is crucial. If you fix that, by putting in the associated name. your problems will be over (if you confirm the new Down words...)

Alwayspuzzled, you need enter the correct answer to 11a. The subsequent correction to the first and other letters relates to the mutation of a particular word referred to in the preamble. You need to change a jumble of those letters, in a straight line, to the associated thematic name. That will leave real words

Sorry, Cockie, I meant to say that I lost track of all the names of the themed person - apparently various combinations were used over time. I think of the 'thematic name' as the one most people would class as the surname they're familiar with. For many of us, this will be from schooldays!

Thank you for that Quisling and Malone. I'm still not seeing it despite your generous hints. I'll go back to it first thing tomorrow.