History Main / CourtMage

* TheBible ascribes court magicians to Pharaoh (Exodus 7 and 8) and to the King of Babylon (Daniel 1, 2, 4, and 5).

* In ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats 2011}} [=ThunderCats (2011)=]]]'' Apart from being head of an [[TheOrder order]] of ChurchMilitant {{Praetorian Guard}}s Jaga holds this position in the court of Thundera's King Claudus.

* Ixis Naugus was originally this in ''[[Series/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog''. He was one of the few beings War Minister Julian feared (because Julian's technology couldn't do jack against him), so when he decided to explore the Void Julian took the opportunity to leave him stuck there.

* Rulers in the ''WheelOfTime'' commonly have an Aes Sedai adviser. Most of the time its kept secret, however, due to the FantasticRacism against them.

In fantasy series it's fairly common for a king or other high-ranking ruler to [[StandardRoyalCourt keep a magic-user]] [[IncrediblyLamePun on staff]], primarily to provide mystical advice and services, and possibly general wisdom as well. Can also show up in historical fiction or even RealLife, as during time periods when sorcery was widely believed in having a mage or alchemist on hand was generally seen as a smart idea. The character can be TheGoodChancellor, the EvilChancellor, or anything in-between. Contrast TheMagocracy and SorcerousOverlord for instances where the mage(s) is actually the ruler, rather than an advisor. If the character has high standing among other mages as well as the king, they're also TheArchmage. If this is common and magic is real and powerful, one may have to ask why the wizards don't run things.

In fantasy series it's fairly common for a king or other high-ranking ruler to keep a magic-user on [[StandardRoyalCourt staff]], primarily to provide mystical advice and services, and possibly general wisdom as well. Can also show up in historical fiction or even RealLife, as during time periods when sorcery was widely believed in having a mage or alchemist on hand was generally seen as a smart idea. The character can be TheGoodChancellor, the EvilChancellor, or anything in-between. Contrast TheMagocracy and SorcerousOverlord for instances where the mage(s) is actually the ruler, rather than an advisor. If the character has high standing among other mages as well as the king, they're also TheArchmage. If this is common and magic is real and powerful, one may have to ask why the wizards don't run things.

* Waterbending Master Pakku could be seen as ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'''s version of this in the Northern Water Tribe, while the Earth Kingdom's Long Feng is a more malevolent version.
* The Magus to Princess Katherine in ''{{Gargoyles}}''. [[EvilSorcerer The Archmage]] previously held this position to her father, but was banished for attempting to usurp the throne with his powers.

* Rulers in the ''WheelOfTime'' commonly have an Aes Sedai adviser.

* The King's Sorcerer in ''[=~Howl's Moving Castle~=]'' and Madam Suliman in the [[Film/HowlsMovingCastle film version]], though both have rather minor parts.

* In ''TheLastUnicorn'', Schmendrick becomes one of these for King Haggard, displacing his former court wizard Mabruk.

* Hotep and Huy from ''ThePrinceOfEgypt'', though it's unclear if they really have powers beyond clever sleight-of-hand.

[[AC: Film- Animation]]

* Waterbending Master Pakku could be seen as ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'''s version of this in the Northern Water Tribe, while the Earth Kingdom's Long Feng is a more malevolent version.
* The Magus to Princess Katherine in ''{{Gargoyles}}''. [[EvilSorcerer The Archmage]] previously held this position to her father, but was banished for attempting to usurp the throne with his powers.
* Hotep and Huy from ''ThePrinceOfEgypt'', though it's unclear if they really have powers beyond clever sleight-of-hand.

[[AC: Role Playing Games]]

* DonaldDuck holds this position in ''KingdomHearts''.

* Skeeve becomes one early in the MythAdventures series. It's ''supposed'' to be a cushy job; then he finds out about the invading army...

* [[KingArthur Merlin]], of course.

Osric from the ''SluggyFreelance'' StoryArc "[[http://sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/19990704 The Storm Breaker Saga]]."

* Waterbending Master Pakku could be seen as AvatarTheLastAirbender's version of this in the Northern Water Tribe, while the Earth Kingdom's Long Feng is a more malevolent version.

* Both Gandalf and Saruman from TheLordOfTheRings have done stints as advisors to various monarchs.

* Delfador in BattleForWesnoth.

* Both Gandalf and Saruman from TheLordOfTheRings have done stints as advisors to various monarchs.
* [[KingArthur Merlin]], of course.

* Binnesman and [[EvilOverlord Raj Ahten's]] flameweavers from ''TheRunelords''.

* Marwort the Illustrious was this to the Kingpriest in ''{{Dragonlance}}'', despite the latter's well-documented FantasticRacism towards wizards (it only worked out because Marwort swore never to use magic without the Kingpriest's permission, and then never in his presence). Other wizards, of course, considered him a traitor. Later on [[EvilSorcerer Fistandantilus]] took the job for his own ends.
* Tayschrenn in the MalazanBookOfTheFallen.
* Skeeve becomes one early in the MythAdventures series. It's ''supposed'' to be a cushy job; then he finds out about the invading army...

* Thrasyllus, Sr. and Jr. -- court astrologers of Tiberius and Nero
* Angelo Catto -- court astrologer of Louis XI of France
* Guido Bonatti -- official astrologer of the city of Florence
* Michel de Notredame (Nostradamus) -- court astrologer of Catherine de Medicis
* Lucas Gauricus -- court astrologer of Popes Leo X and Clement VII
* Dr Faustus is often associated with the court of Charles V
* Dr. John Dee -- magician associated with the courts of Elizabeth I of England, Stephen of Poland, and Ruldolph II of the Holy Roman Empire (also associated with Rabbi Loew, the creator of the Golem)
* DonaldDuck holds this position in ''KingdomHearts''.

* Osric from the ''SluggyFreelance'' StoryArc "[[http://sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/19990704 The Storm Breaker Saga]]."
* [[MultipleEndings One ending]] of ''DragonAge'' has Wynne become this for the king or queen. The PlayerCharacter can also assume this role if they choose.
** In the ExpandedUniverse novel ''The Stolen Throne'', Severan serves as this to the Usurper King Meghren. Since Meghren is [[TheCaligula completely insane]], this means that he gets to run the country behind the scenes.

* Delfador in BattleForWesnoth.

* Donald holds this position in ''KingdomHearts''.

In fantasy series it's fairly common for a king or other high-ranking ruler to keep a magic-user on staff, primarily to provide mystical advice and services, and possibly general wisdom as well. Can also show up in historical fiction or even RealLife, as during time periods when sorcery was widely believed in having a mage or alchemist on hand was generally seen as a smart idea. The character can be TheGoodChancellor, the EvilChancellor, or anything in-between. Contrast TheMagocracy and SorcerousOverlord for instances where the mage(s) is actually the ruler, rather than an advisor. If the character has high standing among other mages as well as the king, they're also TheArchmage. If this is common and magic is real and powerful, one may have to ask why the wizards don't run things.

* TheBible ascribes court magicians to Pharaoh (Exodus 7 and 8) and to the King of Babylon (Daniel 1, 2, 4, and 5)

* Jafar in {{Aladdin}} is an example of the EvilChancellor variety.
** He ''is'' a sorcerer, but he wasn't ''hired'' to be a sorcerer, and in fact nobody knows he is one until he takes over. If he had been discovered as a sorcerer, he wouldn't be the GrandVizier for long. Medieval Muslim societies wouldn't have been any more welcoming of sorcery than medieval Christian ones.