Francis I Goes To Italy: Sanudo Diaries August 30, 1515

Louis XII of France died in the night of 31 December, 1514. He was succeeded by his cousin and son-in-law, Francis of Valois who in September 1515, turned 21. Although Venice had been both opponents and allies with France in the previous decade, a new treaty was struck with the new king Francis June 27, 1515 and the young king set off for Italy to retake his inherited Duchy of Milan, and whoever else might come pay their respects. The Swiss had taken Milan a couple years before and young Francis was anxious to prove his mettle in battle. It was customary, by now for states to send a welcoming committee for dignitaries and royalty, if such important personages were not coming to visit the city directly. These get togethers could be very expensive and the least little thing could set off a young royal. It would be necessary to send the most trusted, gentile diplomats along with an abundance of servants. A note by Sanudo shows the city's careful response. [p. 188]

Sanudo Diaries: August 30, 1515 (20:495); "A bill was posted by the aforementioned savi to the effect that given His Most Christian Majesty's journey to this side of the mountains [the Alps], four ambassadors should now be elected from among the leaders of this city to honor His Excellency, from every governorship and current office ... and that they should each take thirty horses, as well as a secretary, an assistant, a manservant, and four attendants, at the expense of our Signoria. Each one is to be given thirty ductas for baggage, strongboxes, etc., as specified in the bill, which passsed."

Apparently, when they would meet, the dignitaries were expected to offer to help the king in his fight against the Swiss, that is, the emperor's forces, and they expected to be paid for the services up front. The horses were commonly needed for communications back and forth, a quick solution to a constant problem.
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All quotes as Sanudo Diaries or Editor's notes or Editor's Footnotes from Venice, Cita Excellentissima, Selection from the Renaissance Diaries of Marin Sanudo translated by Linda L Carroll,  editors: Patricia H LaBalme and Laura Sanguineti White, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008