I came upon a dragon roasting imperial guards at that spot just outside Whiterun where they (dragons) keep appearing. Killed the dragon but may have caused collateral damage among the guards - I am now attacked by all and sundry when I try to return to Dragonsreach. Savegames are not much help - somehow I get a choice between savegames just before returning (deed already done) or hours ( and 50 draugr death lords) ago.

How can I become best buddies with my jarl again? Any help would be appreciated.

Leifur

I managed to find a quicksave with an ".ess.bak" title which I renamed to ".ess" and recovered - just need to repeat some weapon/armour enhancements on an industrial scale

I guess the lesson is to not trust either quicksaves or autosaves but to do proper manual saves at critical points such a upon completing a major quest.

That's correct.