Some Elizabethans help criminal (4)
I believe the answer is:
abet
'help criminal' is the definition.
'abet' can be an answer for 'help' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'criminal' bit.
'some elizabethans' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates a hidden word (some of the parts of the word are used).
'ABET' is hidden in the letters of 'elizabethans'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abet that I've seen before include "Encourage (offence)" , "Support, aid" , "Give aid to" , "Assist in some nefarious activity" , "Aid - connive with" .)