Cryptic crossword clue
Wretched rotter O C interrupting crown? That was it! 12

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word PROTECTORATE

P
R
O
T
E
C
T
O
R
A
T
E

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "That was it" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case that was it = protectorate.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does PROTECTORATE mean?

PROTECTORATE noun
  1. Government by a protector; especially, the government of England, Scotland, and Ireland by Oliver Cromwell.
  2. The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs but the protected state retains its nominal sovereignty.
  3. An autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity.

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