Definition of royal tennis

The term "royal tennis" actually has two origins, one in Spain and one in France. In Spain, "real tenis" (as it's known in Spanish) has its roots in the 1520s when King Charles I of Spain - also known as Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor - became fascinated with a new racket sport that had recently emerged in Italy. The sport, known as "real tenis" (meaning "royal tennis") in Spain, was similar to tennis as we know it today - it was played with rackets and a ball, but the court was rectangular in shape rather than the grass or clay rectangles found on tennis courts today. The game spread throughout Europe, and in France, another version of the sport began to emerge. In the late 16th century, King Henry III of France developed a new sport called "jeu de paume" - or "game of the paw" - that was played inside a covered building, like a barn. The sport involved hitting a ball back and forth using the hands (hence the name "game of the paw"), rather than rackets. Over time, the sport evolved, and in the 17th century, it became known as "royal tennis" in France. The sport was hugely popular among the French aristocracy, and was played in lavishly decorated indoor halls - hence its regal status. So, while the terminology may be similar, the original origins of "royal tennis" come from two very different sports - one played with rackets, and one played with the hands - that both developed in Europe during the medieval and Renaissance eras. Today, both variations of the sport still exist, with modern "royal tennis" (often played with rackets and a ball) still enjoyed in Spain, and traditional "jeu de paume" (played with hands) still played in a handful of historic sites around France.