Courtiers follow an ancient profession. Once part of a ruling household, they became confounded with then separate from the administrative staff of government as power gravitated from individuals to republican-style assemblies, but remain today as the personal confidantes and assistants of hereditary rulers.

Courtiers often flock around monarchs, but non-royal courts (ducal courts, electoral courts) also existed.

Louis XIV of France systematically subjected the French aristocracy to political emasculation by involving them as courtiers in the empty but time-consuming rituals and intrigues of a purpose-built palace of Versailles.

The placemen and rewarded campaign-donors of the political system of the United States of America form a more modern group of de facto courtiers.

See also: The Book of the Courtier