Golden Bulgaria
Tsar Ivan Alexander

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The Tetraevangelia (or the Four Gosples) of Ivan Alexander, also known as the London Gospel Book, is a medieval illuminated manuscript. It is regarded as one of the most important literary treasures of great cultural and historical value. Written in 1355-1356 by a monk named Simeon on the orders of Tsar Ivan Alexander, it contains 268 parchment sheets featuring the texts of the four canonical gospels. Decorated with 366 multicolored miniatures. Following the fall of Tarnovo in 1393, it was transported to Moldovia. Information about the book was found in the records of Mount Athos Monastery of St. Paul only in 17th century. In 1837, Lord Robert Curzon visited the monastery and took the manuscript to England, together with the Vidin Gospel, as a present by the abbot. Until 1917, the Tetraevangelia remained possession of Curzon's family. The Lord's daughter donated it, together with the complete collection of manuscripts and old printed books, to the British Museum in London. The manuscript was transferred to the British Library in 1973 where it is kept today.