 The codex was brought to Constantinople in 1621 by Cyril Lucar ( first a patriarch of Alexandria , then later a patriarch of Constantinople ) . Lucar was involved in a complex struggle with the Turkish government , the Catholic Church , and his own subordinates . He was supported by English government and presented the codex to James I in 1624 , as a gratitude for his help . The codex was presented through the hands of Thomas Roe ( together with minuscule 49 ) , the English ambassador at the court of the Sultan . King James died before the manuscript started for England , and the offer was transferred to Charles I in 1627 . It became a part of the Royal Library , British Museum and since 1973 of the British Library . It was saved from the fire at Ashburnam House ( the Cotton library ) on 23 October 1731 , by the librarian , Bentley . 
