### Clue: Work by Spenser for instance illuminated times by river (10)
### Answer: LITERATURE 
 ### Explanation: Definition: Work by Spenser for instance
  LIT(illuminated) + Edit.note: Per comment #2 [ERA + T](times: first, a period of time, and second, abbrev. for $$t$$ime) ~~marked by distinctive character, events, etc.~~ ~~Though a singular noun it can be substituted for the plural "times", as in "the times/era of the Ancient Greeks…", I think~~) ***plus***(by) URE(a river in England).
Defn:   Reference to Edmund Spenser, English poet in 16C.