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I'm not convinced about stools for 4. I've got a horrible thought that it might be squits ("irregular evacuation"), but I can't see why just yet.

5) a guess but could it be sternum? Must goes over but I can't see where the ern comes from is it a bird?

It's a sea eagle usually spelt erne although ern is ok.

Thanks rossim that might be it then but you never know with ixi!

Sorry, I can't see a connection between sternum and the clue. Where does "big Essex bird" and "bishop" fit in?

I didn't go that far peterm I was only at the prominent chest bit. Essex SE bird ern. and must.

5) is a 6 letter answer - sternum is 7

You are quite right Chris, back to the drawing board.

I've got an idea about the link word. Assuming it's an anagram of the last letter of each answer, and given the answers that we're reasonably sure of, it could be "norites". Norite is a type of rock, and norites squares with "humanist ideal".

Just looking in. When I first saw 5 I thought it might be a proper noun- Big Essex bird being big S with ex-bird (extinct?).
Also tried square (thinking quare might be obs. eccentic/bird), something a bishop must go over (on a chessboard).