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Hi Chris
I’d say that the thief in the solution is related to, but not the same as, the operatic one (the latter being more commonly associated with jewels than the former).

RogerM
Yes, I've misremembered. It's a poem rather than an opera. I was made to read it at school, but that was 60 years ago!

The primate in 12a would be more familiar with an extra three letters at the start.

Re 1a, check out this page: https://tinyurl.com/jefax565

Swarb, I found this somewhat unPaullike as well, but that’s a plus in my book. None of those extremely annoying clues split across multiple entries for one thing. I actually enjoyed this one. Like geeker I did struggle with 26 of course, but a map search gave me the right Devon town.

Add me to the list of those with 17 as COD. Still haven’t completely parsed 12, but I’ll look again in the morning. Very late here (California.)

Thanks Chris: I in turn have looked up the poem, which rings a faint bell though I don’t think I’ve ever read it (under duress or otherwise!). It does resolve the slight issue that I (and Brendan) had with the definition part of the clue, so many thanks for that. The only question now is: should I bother to read the poem?!

Hi Darla
I know the hints about 1a have become broader, but I wonder whether your link should come with a spoiler alert?!

Similar experience to others here - slow start but rapid finish!

Not parsed 10a, though.

10a 3 letter “managed” contains (corners) 2 letters reversed

Thanks ianwil, but I still don't see why the two letters (if I have the right ones) are "corners.

Corners means contains. You need a 2 letter word for “by contrast”