"It's one of those Brit things LH! - you know we're all a little archaic over here :)"

I'm a Brit, have been for 61 years. Never heard of the word 'forfend' until I saw this thread. It's definitely NOT a Brit thing, Emma, at least not in common usage here in the Backwoods!

Sounds more like the kind of pretentious bollox that some overpaid Chelsea-dwelling barrister might come out with in order to discombooberate his pals whilst supping his champagne in a trendy wine-bar. :-)