The existence of Prester John (from the Latin "presbyter," meaning priest) first came to light through a forged letter that surfaced in Western Europe in the late twelfth century. This letter, purportedly from Prester John himself to the Byzantine emperor Manuel Komnenos, described his immense power and wealth, generating widespread excitement across Europe—particularly at the prospect that John's armies could aid fellow Christians in the Crusades. 
While the legend of Prester John and the famous letter have been studied by medievalists for over a century, Eldevik's research sheds new light on how the letter was copied and circulated in manuscript collections, often alongside works on geography, history, and apocalyptic theology.
By focusing on the reception and surrounding texts (paratexts), Eldevik reveals that monastic readers played a key role in sustaining interest in Prester John. These readers sought to understand the implications of his realm within the broader context of salvation history and Christian sovereignty during a time of internal conflict and external threats. The potential existence of a powerful Christian emperor in distant India or Central Asia had significant implications for everything from Biblical interpretation to the fate of the world, capturing the European imagination for centuries.
