Those used for beating Roundheads heartlessly? (4)
I believe the answer is:
rods
'those used for beating' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'roundheads heartlessly?' is the wordplay.
'heartlessly?' means to remove the middle letters (I've seen 'heartlessly' mean this).
'roundheads' with its centre removed is 'RODS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rods that I've seen before include "Straight, thin sticks" , "Long slender bars" , "Those angling" , "Biblical races" , "Thin sticks or staffs of office" .)