Across 2. a formal request to an authority for something; the action of putting something into operation 6. the male head of a family or tribe; any of those biblical figures regarded as fathers of the human race, especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their forefathers, or the sons of Jacob 8. regard or represent as being of little worth 9. the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests 11. courage in pain or adversity 16. a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment; a plan, method, or trick with a particular aim 19. full of danger or risk 21. fineness or intricacy of texture or structure; susceptibility to illness or adverse conditions; fragility 22. make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it; create (a relationship or new conditions) 23. resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger 24. make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource); a bold or daring feat; a software tool designed to take advantage of a flaw in a computer system, typically for malicious purposes such as installing malware 25. showing great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle 26. relating to a text or texts; relating to written or printed material

Down 1. relating to or denoting the Germanic inhabitants of England from their arrival in the 5th century up to the Norman Conquest; another term for Old English 3. a companion who shares one's activities or is a fellow member of an organization 4. a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation 5. the dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles, while the peasants (villeins or serfs) were obliged to live on their lord's land and give him homage, labor, and a share of the produce, notionally in exchange for military protection 7. polite, respectful, or considerate in manner 10. a supreme ruler, especially a monarch; a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling, now only minted for commemorative purposes; possessing supreme or ultimate power 12. the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid; be or show evidence of 13. extreme greed for wealth or material gain 14. eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly 15. closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered 17. moving in a smooth, relaxed, attractive way, or having a smooth, attractive shape 18. (of a person or their manner) quiet and rather reflective or depressed; (of color or lighting) soft and restrained 20. (of a surface or body) throw back (heat, light, or sound) without absorbing it; think deeply or carefully about