Byzantine scholars had been in contact with their counterparts in Western Europe since the time of the Latin Empire, and especially since the Byzantine Empire had begun to ask for Western European help against the Ottomans in the 14th century.
Bysantinska lärde hade varit i kontakt med sina gelikar i Västeuropa sedan Romarrikets tid, och i synnerhet sedan Bysantinska riket hade börjat be om undsättning mot osmanerna på 1300-talet.