Dear Mr. Cornwell.

I like countless others have read many of your books. I am particularly enjoying The Warrior Chronicles, and looking forward to the next in the series. Having said that, I dread the end of it although I’m sure you will replace it with something as good if not better. Although I know it was explained in at least one of the books , it is a long time since I read the earlier ones. Could you please explain again the meaning of Uhtred’s favourite saying, “Wyrd bid ful āraed”   I am considering having it on a piece of jewellery or even a tattoo. I know it’s to do with fate but that’s all I can recall.  The closest I could think of was “what goes around comes around”, but that is a very lame comparison. Please put me out of my misery.
I know the best critics of your literature are family, friends and publishers, but if you ever want a British beta tester for any of your stories, I’d gladly volunteer.

Yours Sincerely,

Liz Van Der Kris

Dear Bernard,
I absolutely love your books through which I get introduced to a lot of European history and go on to read a little more about it online. I have a question on one of my favourite phrases from your Saxon Stories –  “Wyrd bið ful aræd”.
I looked up online and for Wyrd, there were two old sayings. One from the poem The Wanderer, “Wyrd bið ful aræd” translated on wiki as “Fate remains wholly inexorable” and Beowulf, “Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel”  translated as “Fate goes ever as she shall”. I was wondering if you had any particular reason for picking the first over the second (assuming you read them both).
The reason I ask is that the word “inexorable” seems a little out of place for Uhtred stories. Being a born Brit, you may not observe the difference, but being a non-native English speaker (Indian), I learn words like inexorable from books rather than conversation. And for some reason, I think simpler English suits historical fiction/fantasy better. The most popular critique heard of Tolkien (absence of wordy language) is I think his best trait for his works. If I can be permitted to say it without being labeled a class-ist, the difference between professor-speech and working-class-speech. Latter suits stories on soldiers and farmers better I think. Inexorable is something I’d expect Alfred to say, not Uhtred.
Thanks :)
Rakshit Tirumala