__NOTOC__ The Oriel Square tennis court was a

real tennis Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis (also called "lawn tennis") is derived. It is also known as court tennis in the United Sta ...

court that was located in

Oriel Square Oriel Square, formerly known as Canterbury Square, Hibbert, Christopher, ''The Encyclopedia of Oxford''. London: Pan Macmillan, 1988, pp. 295–296. . is a square in central Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathed ...

, central

Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...

, England. The ''Liber Albus'' mentions the Oriel court being in Vinehall Lane in 1577.Crossley, Alan (editor), 'Social and Cultural Activities', ''A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 4: The City of Oxford'' (1979) — Oxford University Pres
British History Online
Charles I played tennis here with his nephew

Prince Rupert Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, (17 December 1619 ( O.S.) 7 December 1619 (N.S.)– 29 November 1682 (O.S.) December 1682 (N.S) was an English-German army officer, admiral, scientist, and colonial governor. He first rose to ...

in December 1642 and the future King Edward VII, accompanied by the Duke of Marlborough, played tennis here in 1859. The court survived until 1923, when it was used as a lecture hall by

Oriel College Oriel College () is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Located in Oriel Square, the college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford (a title formerly claimed by University College, ...

, though it may have seen earlier use as a theatre. The site is now the location of Oriel College's Harris Building, used for student accommodation, a seminar room and lecture theatre. The only active court left in the city is the

Merton Street tennis court Merton Street tennis court is the home of the Oxford University Real Tennis Club. It stands on the north side of Merton Street in central Oxford, England, and forms part of Merton College. There has been a tennis court in Oxford since 1450 and ...

References

1923 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Defunct real tennis venues

Tennis court A tennis court is the venue where the sport of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the centre. The same surface can be used to play both Types of tennis match, doubles and singles matches. A variet ...

Former buildings and structures in Oxford Sport at the University of Oxford Buildings and structures of the University of Oxford Sports venues in Oxford {{England-sports-venue-stub

Further reading

References