History of tennis ball was then struck with the palm of the hand; hence, the name jeu de paume ("game of the palm"). It was not until the 16th century that rackets came into use, and the game began to be called "tennis." It was popular in England and France, and Henry VIII of England was a big fan of the game, now referred to as real tennis. Many original tennis courts remain, including courts at Oxford, Cambridge, Falkland Palace in Fife where Mary Queen of Scots regularly played, and Hampton Court Palace. Many of the French courts were decommissioned with the terror
Hampton Court Beauties century. Isabella Bennet, Duchess of Grafton (1667–1713), Margaret Cecil, Countess of Ranelagh (1672–1727), Carey Fraser, Countess of Peterborough (c.1658–1709), Frances Whitmore, Lady Middleton (1666–1694), Mary Scrope, later Mrs Pitt (born 1676), Diana De Vere, Duchess of St Albans (1679–1742), Lady Mary Bentinck, Countess of Essex (died 1726), Mary Compton, Countess of Dorset (1669–1691) Hampton Court Beauties The Hampton Court Beauties are a series of portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller, commissioned by Queen Mary II of England, depicting the most glamorous ladies from the court of William III. They adorn the state rooms of King William III at Hampton Court Palace.