Ernle Bradford

Ernle Bradford was a British historian and author who specialised in Mediterranean history, naval warfare and the history of the Crusades and the Knights of Malta. Born in 1922, he served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and later lived for many years in Malta, where his deep knowledge of Mediterranean history and culture informed his writing. The Great Siege is his acclaimed account of the Siege of Malta in 1565, when the Knights of St John and the Maltese people defended their island against an overwhelming Ottoman invasion force in one of the most dramatic military encounters in history. Bradford's writing combines meticulous historical research with gripping narrative storytelling, making military history accessible and exciting for general readers. He is also the author of books on Ulysses, Hannibal, Cleopatra and the Mediterranean world. His audiobooks and books remain essential reading for anyone interested in Mediterranean and military history. He died in 1986.