Newsgroups: rec.puzzles.crosswords
Subject: CWC97 - Full Results (SPOILERS)
Organization: MV Communications, Inc.

CWC #97 - Results!
------------------

First, the winners.  Well, actually the winner, for both winning clues
came from Kevin Wald!

Word #1:

  Rear end of flightless bird (5)

Honorable mentions (in no particular order) to Bob Gregory, 
Gareth Williams, Phil Rose, and Chris Burke.

Word #2:

  Foolish squire eats five bunches of arrows (7)

Honorable mentions (in no particular order) to Merlyn LeRoy and
Gail Koontz. 

Congratulations to Kevin, who I am happy to invite to moderate CWC98.
I hope I have performed to expectation; I must say that it is a bit
more work than I had originally anticipated, but enjoyable certainly.


Next, I should mention (for the benefit of those that are unfamiliar)
that the inspiration for the two words are the hosts of a syndicated
morning radio show across much of the United States, "The Howard Stern
Show".  Based in New York City, Howard Stern (the original "Shock Jock"
and self-proclaimed "Kind of All Media") and his sidekick Robin Quivers
combine to produce probably the most controversial (and successful)
radio show in existence.  Its wide-open format, irreverent treatment of
practically everyone, and consistent infatuation with anything sexual
is guaranteed to either titillate or offend -- often both at once.

Having said that I must also say that I don't think using Howard as
a definition is fair to the global audience, and as much as I like
some of those clues I can at best, in good conscience, award
honorable mentions to the clues that depend on this knowledge.

You will no doubt notice that many cluers took advantage of the fact
that I am not one of those who disdains the "anagram charade" or
"anagram insertion" combinations; especially for Word #2.  Those of 
you who dislike these constructions will just have to grit your teeth 
through this round.  :-)

Finally, I must say that I found the clues for the first word more
interesting and varied (I could easily have given more honorable
mentions), and that it was not easy to pick a winner from amongst 
several excellent choices.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
All clues are listed in the order received, except in the explanation
and critique sections, where bonus clues are put at the end.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

WORD #1 - CLUES ONLY 
(= indicates winning entry)
(- indicates honorable mention)
(* indicates Bonus clue)

- Grave discovered in Westminster neighbourhood (5)
* Inflexible German star (5)
  Steer north, not east, and be firm (5)
  Grim resting place of the Golden Hind ?  (5)
* Back on the high seas ? (5)
= Rear end of flightless bird (5)
* Back rent's outrageous (5)
  Small bird's tail (5)
  Violinist not prone to compromise (5)
  Forbidding eagle goes after someone like Patrick (5)
  Roy Rogers film after two?  Harsh (5)
  Forbidding as a gray lady's tail? (5)
  End of radio as we know it!? (5)
  Humourless king is in the cuckoo's nest. (5)
  Howard's End (5)
  None left untoned by buttock masseur. (5)
- Nets taking second prize hauled up at aft end of boat. (5)
  Short seven--Sneezy's behavior is like Grumpy and (sometimes) Doc? (5)
  Is Miss America a violinist? (5)
* Relentless, wheeling terns (5)
- Rigorous abuse of rents (5)
  Hardback? (5)
  Birds flip tail to head and back (5)
- Shock jock's rear end (5)
  German star going faster, now holding back (5)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

WORD #1 - CLUES WITH EXPLANATIONS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grave discovered in Westminster neighbourhood (5)

    Grave = defn
    discovered > container
    contained in westminSTER Neighbourhood
                       ------
    < BTW - note UK spelling of neighboUr :-) >
    < Westminster Abbey contains the graves of all British monarchs >

:  This is a nice clue.  I like the use of "grave" in the surface; 
:  though STERN is a pretty easy word to hide, and "discovered" is
:  a pretty obvious hidden word indicator.  Also, if graves are 
:  commonplace in Westminster, then why would one have to "discover" 
:  them?  Perhaps "found" would be more appropriate?  Still, a solid 
:  clue.  (And I might add that, being a New Hampshire native myself, 
:  British spellings don't get you any brownie points here.)  :-)
:  Honorable mention to Bob Gregory!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steer north, not east, and be firm (5)

Steer = STEER
north = N
not east = remove E from STEER [STE(E)RN]
firm = definition

:  You know, every time I look at this clue I want to replace an 'E' with
:  an 'N', getting STENR or STNER.  It's an interesting construction, but
:  I'm not crazy about the surface (are people arguing about which way to
:  steer, or what?) -- it feels awkward.  And I don't like the way the 
:  extraneous word "be" implies that the definition is a verb.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grim resting place of the Golden Hind ?  (5)

Explanation: Double definition--perhaps a triple definition ??
grim = definition of stern, the adjective
resting place of the Golden Hind =  area of sail boats where there is 
usually a bench or chair to rest on.
Hind = definition of stern, the noun

:  Well firstly, I wouldn't call it a triple definition since your last
:  definition (hind) is really an overlap of the second definition.  Also,
:  I feel that "resting place of the Golden Hind" as a definition is a 
:  bit of a stretch, even with the question mark;  I would never have
:  been able to solve it, and I consider myself fairly adept.  <g>
:  Even if you know that the Golden Hind is a sailboat, and that sailboats
:  have a bench (usually) in the stern, I think "resting place" would more
:  correctly refer (other than to the obvious "place where the ship rests")
:  to where people on the boat *sleep*, which tends to be toward the bow.
:  In summary, though the thoughts involved are definitely clever, I
:  seriously question the clue's solvability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rear end of flightless bird (5)

     Rear = STERN

     end of flightless = S
     bird = TERN
     S + TERN = STERN

:  I like the potential for misdirection caused when the reader combines 
:  "rear end" into a phrase (especially since it still works as a 
:  definition) and goes trying to find a flightless bird that fits the 
:  clue.  Good surface and solid construction combines to form an excellent 
:  clue, and the winner for Word #1, from Kevin Wald.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small bird's tail (5)

Explanation: Small=S
             bird=TERN
             's=is
             tail= straight definition

:  Similar idea to the one above, though without the red herring.  
:  Not a bad clue at all; just not one of my favorites.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Violinist not prone to compromise (5)

      "violinist" = (Isaac) Stern
      "not prone to compromise" = def.

:  A decent double definition.  Requires some topical knowledge, but I think
:  Isaac is certainly fair game.  The surface, while grammatically fine,
:  seems to lack flair; I guess I just don't naturally associate the act
:  of compromising (or not) with violinists.  Diplomats, sure.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forbidding eagle goes after someone like Patrick (5)

    Forbidding = def. of STERN
    eagle = ERN goes after
    someone like Patrick = St.

:  I find the surface reading to be a real stretch, feels too much
:  like unrelated concepts strung together.  Also, I'm not sure I'm
:  sold on "someone like Patrick" for "ST".  I can't put my finger
:  on why -- it just doesn't feel right, especially since it doesn't
:  add anything positive to the clue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roy Rogers film after two?  Harsh (5)

WESTERN minus the first two letters ("after two").  Question mark's in
there because this is, well, a questionable construction...

:  Actually, I have no problem with the construction.  I think it's 
:  pretty clever, if a bit indirect.  I do feel the clue as written
:  seems to call for a film *title* rather than a genre, but I don't 
:  think it necessarily requires a '?'.  I don't know why you made it 
:  so choppy; something like:
:  
:  A Roy Rogers film after two would be harsh (5)
:  
:  would probably flow better.  Though I'm not sure why the time of day
:  should affect the "harshness" of a film, nor why Roy Rogers films
:  are particularly harsh anyway.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forbidding as a gray lady's tail? (5)

 Double definition clue:
 "Forbidding" is one definition of STERN
 "gray lady" is a military ship; its "tail" is its STERN

You may remember the movie "Gray Lady Down" with Charlton Heston, in
which the ship was a submarine.

:  Uhhhh....no.  <g>  But my biggest problem with this clue is that
:  it not only expects the solver to know (or figure out) that "Gray
:  Lady" is the name of a ship, but to do so without the benefit
:  of proper capitalization.  In context, I find this flaw fatal.
:  Secondarily, I question the surface.  What is "forbidding" about
:  a gray lady's (I assume you mean older woman?) "tail"?  I guess
:  it depends on your perspective.  Perhaps "firm" would have worked 
:  better?  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of radio as we know it!? (5)

  End = defn. (stern, as in boat)
  End of radio as we know it?! = loose defn. of Howard Stern, at least 
                                 according to my mother

:  I know there is a contingent of puzzlers out there who support
:  partially overlapping clues, lumping them in with the "true"
:  &lits by slapping an '!' at the end.  I'm not one of them.  I
:  feel &lit constructions should be reserved for the genuine
:  item, with the whole clue reading as the definition and the
:  whole clue reading as the cryptic elements.  Also, despite
:  the fact the Howard was indeed the inspiration of the word,
:  I don't think this could reasonably considered a solvable
:  clue for a global audience.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Humourless king is in the cuckoo's nest. (5)

:  If I lost the explanation for this clue, I apologize.  But I think
:  the intent is obvious:  "Humourless" as the definition; king = R,
:  inserted into an anagrammed "nest".  
:  This is an interesting clue in its inherent surface imagery, and
:  had some real potential, but I can't get around the fact that 
:  "cuckoo's" is not a verb, and therefore fails as an anagram indicator.  
:  A tighter, if a bit choppy, wording might have been:
:    Humourless king is in cuckoo nest (5)
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard's End (5)

Howards End = novel by E. M. Forster 
Howard Stern = US radio/TV personality, author, one-time political
aspirant...etc.
End = stern

:  This is quite clever and, in some circles, would be an excellent
:  clue.  However I don't feel that "Howard", to a global audience,
:  is a sufficient definition.  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
None left untoned by buttock masseur. (5)

Explanation:  A buttock masseur is one who leaves no stern untoned.

:  Yes, but is there a cryptic part?  I can't see one.  This is the
:  clue that, once I saw it come in, got me expecting someone to
:  come up with:  "Firm buttocks (5)" but, sadly, no one did.  :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nets taking second prize hauled up at aft end of boat. (5)

for a down clue.
NETS
taking  - <container>
second prize  -  R
hauled up  - <rev>
at aft end of boat  -  <defn>

:  I'm not sure what the etiquette in clueing competitions is for
:  submitting clues with the constraint that they be "down" clues,
:  but I'm not crazy about it.  Still, it's a clever construction
:  with elements that work within the surface theme.  The fairly
:  complex cryptic elements are, I feel, adequately balanced by
:  a solid definition.  (If, for example, it had used "at the end"
:  instead of "at aft end of boat", I would have deemed it too
:  difficult.)  Honorable mention to Gareth Williams.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short seven--Sneezy's behavior is like Grumpy and (sometimes) Doc? (5)

[Answer: STERN
Explanation:  STERN-UTATION ("Sneezy's behavior") "short seven" (without the
last seven letters).  Sternutation is sneezing.  Grumpy and Doc were both
stern, depending on which definition you use.]  

:  Very clever concept, but I don't think it's solvable.  It combines
:  a very unusual construction (dropping seven letters) on an indirect
:  and uncommon fodder (sternutation) with a very vague definition.
:  Even the surface feels like a strain.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is Miss America a violinist? (5)

	Miss America - definition of (Howard) STERN
	a violinist - definition of (Isaac) STERN
If you think "Miss America" isn't a fair definition, look at Stern's picture on the cover 
of the book!

:  I've read the book; I could have solved the clue; but I don't think
:  you can expect the general global population to do so.  At least
:  I think I would have put "Miss America" in quotes, but even that
:  wouldn't do it.  It's too specific a knowlege set, because you're
:  requiring more than a passing awareness of who Howard Stern is.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rigorous abuse of rents (5)

Rigorous   - definition
abuse of   - anagram indicator
rents      => STERN

:  This is simple, but it works.  Lacks the imagery of some, but
:  is without flaw.  A solid clue.  Honorable mention to Phil Rose.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardback? (5)

(Double def., "hard" as in tough, and "back" as in a boat.)

:  Actually I like "Hard ass? (5)" better, even though it's slang.
:  I had to look up "hardback" because it didn't ring a bell; I've
:  always called them "hardcovers".  Still, it's an okay clue, though
:  I don't know that it warrants a '?'; both "hard" and "back" are pretty
:  straightforward definitions, IMO.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birds flip tail to head and back (5)

 birds = TERNS; 'back' is the definition.

:  The surface doesn't do much for me, and I don't really like "and"
:  as a connector.  The cryptic element is okay, if a bit indirect,
:  but it kind of struggles in context.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shock jock's rear end (5)

Double definition.
(not quite a &lit, eh?  ;-)  )

:  I really like this one, and I think it's certainly got the most
:  legitimate definition for Howard Stern.  I'm not sure "shock
:  jock" is going to be found in your average dictionary, but
:  you certainly would be hard pressed to define it *without*
:  using Howard as an example.  :-)  I'll be honest and admit that
:  this is my personal favorite for word #1, but I have serious
:  doubts as to its global solvability (as mentioned at the top)
:  and must in good conscience give an honorable mention to Chris
:  Burke.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
German star going faster, now holding back (5)

"Stern" is german for star
"stern" is the back of a boat
"FaSTER, Now" holds it (hidden)

:  This one doesn't work for me.  Firstly, I'm not familiar with
:  this format of having two definitions with a cryptic part
:  between them; I find it unnecessarily confusing.  Also, the
:  word "going" is extraneous, and the surface doesn't make
:  sense to me.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Bonus clues for Word #1:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inflexible German star (5)

    Inflexible - defn
    German (for) STAR = (das) STERN

:  This one is nice.  Even though I don't know German and wouldn't have
:  known that STERN meant star, I would have (eventually) figured out 
:  that that's what the clue meant and would have known to look it up.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back on the high seas ?       (5)

Explanation: &lit
back = definition; and so is the whole clue!

:  Another "partial" &lit.  As I mentioned above, I don't like them.
:  Especially without a cryptic element.  It's all definition, and
:  really only one at that -- "back".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back rent's outrageous (5)

     Back = STERN

     outrageous = anagram indicator
     rent's (anagrammed) = STERN

:  Nothing wrong with this one, except that it's pretty obvious.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Relentless, wheeling terns (5)

	Relentless - definition of STERN
	wheeling - anagram (actually, a circular move) indicator
	terns - becomes STERN
I'm thinking of Hitchcock's *The Birds* here.

:  I like this one too.  Nothing fancy, but certainly solid.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

WORD #2 - CLUES ONLY 
(= indicates winning entry)
(- indicates honorable mention)
(* indicates Bonus clue)

  Cases of the shakes? (7)
  In France, who writes endless poetry and trembles? (7)
  Points well taken in traditional Indian cases ! (7)
= Foolish squire eats five bunches of arrows (7)
* Parisian whom poetry starts trembling (7)
  Tremors at missile containers (7)
  Displays anxiety where missiles are stored? (7)
- Squire falls over five sheaths of arrows (7)
  Addled squire holds varlot's head and trembles (7)
  Odd fellows swap last of booze for four shakes (7)
  Around five, squire shakes and trembles (7)
  There is four in a crooked square, but without one it shakes. (7)
  Short verse on Parisian who trembles (7)
  These are augmented by the arrow of time. (7)
  Join French who, against us going missing, used to store up quarrels. (7)
  Tell reeds used in cases of palsies? (7)
- I've confronted the Royal Society; before me the Queen trembles (7)
* That French poem, though short, produces shudders (7)
  Shake Archer's case (6)
  Jittery squire gets five shakes (7)
  Shakes bundles of missiles? (7)
  Shakes arrow holders (7)
  Fletcher's products are in shakes (7)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

WORD #2 - CLUES WITH EXPLANATIONS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cases of the shakes? (7)

    Cases = defn (for archers' arrows)
    shakes = defn
    total clue = medical blind

:  Not bad.  "Cases", though, is more vague than "punny"; I'm not sure
:  it's enough -- and I don't think the '?' really helps.  Also, I
:  prefer a clean "cut point" in double definitions, without the
:  extraneous connectors ("of the").
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In France, who writes endless poetry and trembles? (7)

In France = translation
who = QUI
endless poetry = VERS(E)
trembles = definition

:  I don't know, who does?  And why would we care?  :-)  Nice 
:  attempt, but I think "writes" is a pretty significant word to not
:  account for.  And the surface doesn't pull together, really.  How
:  does the trembling relate to the writing of poetry?  It seems a
:  but disjointed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points well taken in traditional Indian cases !     (7)

Explanation:  I think it's an &lit...
traditional Indian cases = quivers definition
points well taken in  = arrowheads well carried in

:  Sorry, I don't get it.  It seems to me to be all one definition,
:  that of a traditional Indian case that contains arrows (points).
:  Is there a second definition?  Is there a cryptic part?  I guess
:  maybe it's just a "lit"; need some more '&' in there.  :-) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foolish squire eats five bunches of arrows (7)

     bunches of arrows = QUIVERS
       (Note: "quiver", according to the Merriam-Webster 10th Collegiate,
       can be used not only to mean a case for carrying arrows, but also
       to mean "the arrows in a quiver"; this clue uses the latter 
       definition.)
  
     Foolish = anagram indicator
     squire (anagrammed) = QUIERS
     five = V
     QUIERS "eats" V = QUIVERS

:  This clue cracks me up every time I read it.  I can almost see the
:  feathers sticking out of his mouth and the "caught eating a bird"
:  expression on his face.  Not only my favorite of the SQUIRE anagram
:  + V clues, but of the QUIVERS clues in general and indeed of the
:  entire contest.  Well done, Kevin Wald!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tremors at missile containers (7)

Explanation: Double definition.  "Missile containers" refers to a 
container of arrows, which are a type of missiles. The surface 
(needless to say) is meant to invoke the start of WWIII.

:  Good concept.  I think "missile containers" calls for a '?', and
:  I prefer not to have extraneous words in a double definition ("at"),
:  but the surface is good.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Displays anxiety where missiles are stored? (7)

     "displays anxiety" = def.
     "where missiles {arrows} are stored?" = def.

:  This one, more properly I think, utilizes the '?' when referring to
:  arrows as missiles.  Unfortunately, I don't like the surface as well;
:  I find it awkward, as if the anxiety is somehow where the missiles
:  are stored rather than the person who is displaying it.  Something
:  like
:  Displays anxiety in missile repository? (7)
:  would flow more naturally (though it still has an extra "in" in it).
:  And still, why is the anxiety being displayed?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squire falls over five sheaths of arrows (7)

    squire = SQUIRE
    falls over = anagram around...
    five = V
    sheaths of arrows = def. of QUIVERS

:  Not bad at all, but somehow it just falls short of the humorously
:  foolish squire that *eats* arrows.  Still, a solid clue and worthy
:  effort.  Honorable mention to Merlyn LeRoy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addled squire holds varlot's head and trembles (7)

  SQUIRE anagram containing V.

:  Yet another SQUIRE + V construction, but this one doesn't hold
:  together as well in surface reading since there is no basis
:  given for the action.  Why is he trembling?  Because he's holding
:  a varlet's head?  Something seems to be missing.  Now if, on the
:  other hand, he were holding a *viper's* head, then I think it 
:  would all pull together.  (Oh, and you misspelled "varlet".) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Odd fellows swap last of booze for four shakes (7)

 Charade substitution clue
 "Odd fellows" = QUEERS (see note below)
 "swap" = exchange indicator
 "last of booze" = E; "four" = IV
 Exchange the first E in QUEER with IV to get QUIVERS
 "shakes" is the definition of QUIVERS

NOTE:  "Queers" is being used here in the sense of one(s) who is queer,
       or odd, and not in the slang sense for a homosexual(s). This is
       a definition in Roget's distinct from the homosexual reference.
      (If I had wanted that connotation, I could have said "Gay fellows")

:  I like the concept and I find the surface intriguing, but I don't 
:  think most clue solvers would get from "Odd fellows" to "queers".
:  Queer, when meaning odd, is almost exclusively used as an adjective.
:  As soon as you make it a noun, you're pretty much into slang
:  territory, and homosexual reference.  Now, maybe technically Roget's
:  is right, but I even if so I think it's an obscure way of getting
:  there and thus an unfairly tough indirection.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around five, squire shakes and trembles (7)

  Around   = position indicator
  five     = V
  squire   = anagram fodder
  shakes   = anagram indicator -> QUI(V)ERS
  trembles = defn.

:  Another SQUIRE + V, and I offer the same comment as the "varlet" clue,
:  which is:  Why?  The surface offers no explanation for why one would
:  be shaking and trembling.  What's so special about five o'clock?
:  Perhaps this seems trivial, but I think for a clue to be really
:  outstanding the surface must grab, and for it to grab it has to
:  provide an imagery or a self-contained contextual meaning.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is four in a crooked square, but without one it shakes. (7)

:  Again, if *I* lost the explanation I'm sorry.  I see the intent
:  as IV (four) in an anagrammed (crooked) SQUARE - A (without one),
:  with "shakes" as the definition.  This is a real struggle!  The
:  cryptic elements are pretty complex and we get nothing in return,
:  as the surface is completely meaningless.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short verse on Parisian who trembles (7)

Short verse = vers[e]
Parisian 'who' = qui
trembles = shakes

:  Does "on" mean "after"?  It's not a usage I'm familiar with.  Other
:  than that, I like the clue.  I know there are those who would complain
:  about the "American" style of using a city name instead of a country
:  or language name ("there's nothing inherently Parisian about the
:  word 'qui'..."), but I've always felt it was valid and in this case
:  a clever way of finding a word that fits as both an adjective and noun.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are augmented by the arrow of time. (7)

Explanation:  Quivers are filled (augmented) by arrows.

              And the older you get the more certain parts of your 
              body get, well, the quivers...

:  There's no way I would ever solve this clue as written, unless I
:  had half the letters staring at me.  It's a clever idea, but there
:  isn't enough "meat" in the clue to work with; it's a real stretch.
:  Also, as explained, it's sort of an &lit double definition (but
:  not quite).  Yet even if it had a '!' *and* a '?' (both of which
:  could easily be called for), I still think it's unsolvable.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join French who, against us going missing, used to store up quarrels. (7)

Join - <constructor>
French who  - QUI
against us going missing  - VERS[US]
used to store up quarrels  - defn: quivers store crossbow bolts

:  This is *very* choppy in its surface reading, and I can't figure out
:  what it's supposed to mean.  The construction is clever, and I think
:  the use of "quarrels" has some real excellent potential in the 
:  definition.  Unfortunately, I think this particular effort fell short.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tell reeds used in cases of palsies? (7)

Answer: QUIVERS
Explanation:  2 defs.  
(MW10C says quivers can mean arrows in quivers; "Reed" can mean many things
including "arrow"; "Tell reeds" (i.e. William Tell) makes this connection
clearer.)

:  Hmmm.  I don't see that "Tell reeds" makes it much clearer at all.
:  It's actually almost a triple definition, since quivers are actually
:  cases for arrows, as well as the arrows themselves, as well as the
:  shakes.  But I don't really like "Tell reeds" as a definition, and
:  I don't see why you chose such an obscure approach since it doesn't
:  lend anything to the surface either.  Finding a way that made "Tell"
:  read like a verb in the surface could have been exquisite!  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've confronted the Royal Society; before me the Queen trembles (7)

	I've confronted the Royal Society - IVE-RS
	before me the Queen - QU before I (me) for QUIVERS
	trembles - definition of QUIVERS

:  This seems a roundabout charade, especially with the double reference
:  to the same item ('I' in "I've" referenced also as "me" later on).
:  Still, the surface is decent; and the clue is understandable once
:  you see it.  I think it's solvable and clever.  Honorable mention
:  to Gail Koontz.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shake Archer's case (6)

Double definition
Shake      - QUIVER
archer's case - QUIVER

In Britain Jeffrey Archer is a famous popular novelist and former MP,
now a life peer. He won a libel suit against a newspaper who alleged 
he paid a large sum of money to a prostitute.

:  Be that as it may, the word was QUIVERS not QUIVER.  Clever idea,
:  though.  I would have had a problem with the necessity of 
:  capitalizing "Archer" for the surface context when it was 
:  inappropriate for the clue itself.
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Jittery squire gets five shakes (7)

(SQUIRE anag. + V = QUIVERS)

:  Something vague here in the surface.  Five shakes of what?  A lamb's
:  tail?  Chocolate shakes?  Is someone shaking him?  The clue leaves
:  me unfulfilled.  There are SQUIRE + V clues I like better.
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Shakes bundles of missiles? (7)

 Double definition.  In the surface, "shakes" to be taken
 as "rattles belligerently".

:  The problem I have here is that the use of the "punny" definition
:  (missiles, which properly uses the '?') is wasted by placing it
:  in a surface reading where missiles makes no sense.  How can you
:  shake a bundle of missiles?  They're too big.  In this case, 
:  settling for the simpler definition "bundles of arrows" would
:  seem more fitting.  Also, who is doing it and why?
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Shakes arrow holders (7)

Double definition.
Why is someone shaking quivers?  I don't know, maybe they were at
the beach and they need to get the sand out.  Or maybe he's a
nervous archer.

:  Gee, my question exactly!  :-)  The cryptic part is fine, a very
:  straightforward and clean double definition.  But the surface is
:  pretty uninspired.
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Fletcher's products are in shakes (7)

Two mngs - fletchers make arrow which are in quivers
shakes are quivers

:  What does it mean for someone's products to be "in shakes".  Do
:  you mean they are shaking, or that McDonald's is using them?
:  I don't think using brand names of arrows is particularly fair.
:  I've done some archery in my life (granted, it was when I was
:  young and not brand-aware) but I would never have known this.
 
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Bonus clues for Word #2:

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Parisian whom poetry starts trembling (7)

      starts trembling = QUIVERS

      Parisian whom poetry = French for "whom", "poetry"
			   = QUI + VERS = QUIVERS

:  There's a grammatical problem here.  "Parisian whom..." doesn't work.
:  It would have to be "Parisian whose..." or "Parisian for whom...".
:  Also, I think "poetry starts" calls for 'P'; or if we follow the
:  indirection, then 'V'.  But "starts" doesn't typically mean "all
:  but the last letter".
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That French poem, though short, produces shudders (7)

	That French - QUI
	poem, though short, - VERS(e)
	produces - connector
	shudders - definition of QUIVERS

:  This isn't bad.  If it weren't a bonus clue I'd check to make sure
:  that "qui" can mean "that" in French (and not just "who").  But I
:  like the surface better than the other French poetry clues.
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