Across

1 Lancaster accommodation passed down from forefathers (9)

7 Remove end pieces from slats of wood and turn them into vessels (4)

11 Small despicable person sends back objects of little value (4)

12 Discover the truth about a gang fight (6)

14 Creeping plant is a laggard (7)

15 Chances are very large admitting traces of doubt and difficulty (4)

16 Sepulchre with bit of warmth for tenant initially becomes a cosy, sheltering environment (4)

17 Musician has to be silent absorbing the first three of notes of a chord played in rapid progression (7)

18 Peasants’ terrible story (5)

20 The round, trimmed, nimble ring with grooved outer edge fitted into a rope to prevent chafing (7)

21 See learners lounge about (4)

22 Drinks almost all with unlimited zest (4)

24 Slippery type – heel with no hint of honesty (3)

26 Clerics consume rind of extra vegetables (9)

30 Mount and go down (3)

32 Romanian capital, half condemned to exile (4)

33 The French in charge of state of not being clergy members (4)

34 Gather information from wreckage without direction but with energy and fluster initially (7)

35 ‘Representing two things’ admits Commons leader, referring to noble status (5)

37 The French once, near the outskirts of Nantucket, characterised by tolerance and mercy (7)

39 Heard as a concise declaration of intention to dwell in an isolated place (4)

41 Composition of prose not right for a poem (4)

42 Step-ins not good for the arched parts of feet (7)

43 After extremes of influenza doctor in charge of feet (6)

44 At ninety degrees starts experiencing abnormally scorching temperatures (4)

45 Letter from a French soldier and writer (4)

46 Osprey in a muddle becoming an extinct flightless bird (9)

Down

1 Unusual bream of brownish-yellow colour (5)

2 Greeting in Valencia or Venice (4)

3 Extended play is start of tactics, followed by the French letter (7)

4 Sediments are endless filth on board (5)

5 Shake three times as much around maiden (7)

6 Fruits like capuchin monkeys (6)

8 Some of Queen’s Counsel ideally returning as magistrates (7)

9 Sly fellows in swimming trunks with a bit of drawstring for front of garments (4)

10 Initial sigil young man burns or lacerates into cheek is emblematic (8)

13 A star I intricately decorated with a coloured geometrical pattern (6)

15 Makes a choice of outlandish post (4)

19 Once long ago reportedly used to denote the typical or ordinary (4)

21 Having no members, initially lays-off one medic with the French elite corps (8)

23 An important date half rubbed out (3)

25 Essayist needs to remove the body of a fallen angel from its confines (4)

26 Noticed rearrangement having projections like the teeth of a comb (7)

27 Wreaths of honour reportedly for worthless people (6)

28 Early stage of development in imagination of a more passive kind (7)

29 Bit of construction with wood sawn ready for use for a kind of thickset spaniel (7)

31 In the same place exists a sacred wader (4)

32 Double bite takes in middle of banana (6)

35 Dance in princess’s company (5)

36 25′s sweet and gentle people (5)

38 Clipping sheep has produced about half a bushel (4)

40 Taking extra time to swerve (4)