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I've completed the puzzle without too much difficulty but I don't understand the logic behind the clue to 3dn. Why should 'Little suit to attend' = CAL? And who is Bertie?

I'd forgotten that one and I'm really not sure. Could it be: "c" for Clubs (a minor suit in card games) comes before ("attends") rave ("party") inside ("aboard") Al (short for Albert = Bertie)?

Or perhaps "little" just means "the abbreviation for one of the card suits"?

But perhaps it might be C (clubs) + RAVE (to attend ...) in AL (dim. of Albert). If so, I've answered my own question - just the once, I hope - but I don't think much of it.

I've been unable to get a solid internet connection for most of the day, probably because of the storms, so I posted my reply with no others showing on the screen. Now I feel right daft. Thanks Barretter - we must be right!

I cannot get a relevant word pair associated with the Arthurian theme for the Playfair square.
Can I have a hint please?

Think simultaneously about chess and the "14 & 27s" used in the preamble.

Just one letter to enter - the unchecked letter in 30d. I know the letter to remove from the clue is F but I just can't fathom the answer. Help in parsing the clue gratefully appreciated.

http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/laws-medes-persians.html

Hi orientfan

Mede, sounds like mead (a poetic form of meadow or lea)

Thanks! Must confess I was trying desperately to make Bede work.