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It was the connection with 3 that gave me 15/16

Hi Jan. I think 11 is quite self-referential. In “Ximenes” what comes before the “1000” character (& also before the start of the clue)?

Janeiro, not so much an alternate spelling as an obsolete (old-fashioned) one.

I've mostly understood the hints on the parsing of 11a, but still don't see how "menes" gives " before (1000)" (if that's not way off base)

Chrise, the first four words of the clue indicate where the answer is found. And tje subsidiary indication is given by the “contribution from Ximenes” before the letter which symbolises 1000, ie the first two letters

Thanks, quisling, but "enes"?

Still stuck on 9A, 15/16A, 5D & 7D despite hints

Not relevant. An excuse to include the revered name in the puzzle. It could have been any word beginning Xim- or Xik- but that’s the only thematic one. “Contribution from Xim- before 1000” effectively means ignore what comes after the M. You might not like it, but it’s definitely how it works!

Hi BarryC
9 is how a revered compiler in the Observer might introduce himslef.
Difficult to give a hint for 15/16. Clever clue, two ways of including two people
7 is the compiler with a gtruncated teacher, to give a reminder of something

Thanks, quisling - no. I really don't like it!