Inquisitor 1181

[Ripper]

Hi
I've got the connection, but am haing trouble with the 13 contiguous cells (3,6,4) which I assumed (due to blank spaces) went from top to bottom in the middle row.
But I'm stuck any help appreciated.
Also 40across: Assumed one's advocate is in the market place (6) I make it Marest but I don't know why - can anyone enlighten me?

[mad max]

it goes in a sort of zig zag in the shape of a 27a, the first word is THE (adding a T in the first square) next word starts with B, hope this makes sense

[mad max]

mar(is)t, if I remember correctly

[turnerjmw]

Hi Ripper, I think 40ac is MARIST (IS in MART), and a Marist is devotee of the Virgin Mary, who was Assumed into Heaven according to Catholic dogma.

Mad Max is right about the shape of the contiguous cells. A very bad clue to the (3,6,4) might be "Big birthstone surprisingly has its dull parts"

[Ripper]

Thank you Mad max and Turnerjmw
You're both stars!