The codex contains 53 motets by 21 composers, and was presented to Leo's nephew Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici, Duke of Urbino, at his wedding to the French princess Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne in 1518.
The book was given to the nuptial couple at their triumphant return to Florence on 8 September 1518.
Edward Lowinsky, in the three-volume facsimile edition (1968), proposed that Jean Mouton, a leading court composer for the French king, Francis I, was the editor.
[1] Ten motets by Jean Mouton were included in the Medici Codex.
The book also contains a tribute motet to Leo Gaude felix Florentia by Andreas de Silva, and motets by composers of the Franco-Flemish School, including Johannes de la Fage, Josquin des Prez, Pierrequin de Thérache, Adrian Willaert and Inviolata integra et casta es by the Italian Costanzo Festa.