How did the British game of fives develop from earlier handball games?

The British game of fives developed as an adaptation of earlier handball games that were introduced to the British Isles during the 16th century.1

While the exact origins of the name are uncertain, it may refer to the five fingers of the hand, an old game called Longue Paume that involved five players per side, or a scoring system requiring five points to win. Historically, handball games can be traced back to the baths of Rome and were later played as a bare-handed game known as pelota in Spain and France.21

Over time, these traditions evolved into the distinct forms of fives played in British public schools, such as Eton fives, Rugby fives, and Winchester fives. These versions differ primarily in their court construction—such as the inclusion of specific architectural hazards or wall configurations—and their specific rules of play.2