Once in the library of Federico Olmeda de San José (1865-1909). Following Olmeda's death, the manuscript was offered for sale by Hiersemann Antiquariat in Leipzig; it was purchased in 1912 by the Brussels Conservatoire.
Opening dedication in large red letters to Juan de Borgia, probably relates only to first fascicle (the 8-voice mass) as it refers to 'hanc missam'. Manuscript perhaps brought from Vienna in 1581 to Spain by Juan de Borgia where it became part of the music collection of the Royal Chapel; later purchased by the Duke of Lerma (Juan de Borja's nephew), appearing in a 1609 inventory of the San Pedro de Lerma collegiate church.
Another inscription indicates (probably) that Andreas Reinschall, 'subcantor et notista', was copyist. He worked at the Habsburg court of Rudolf II, and also copied Vienna 15946.