A dramatic incident that took place at Versailles in the first stage of the French Revolution. On 17 June 1789 the Third Estate of the States‐General under the presidency of Jean Bailly, a representative of Paris, declared themselves the National Assembly, claiming that they were the only Estate properly accredited and that the First and Second Estates must join them. On 20 June they found their official meeting‐place closed and moved to the Tennis Court, a large open hall nearby. The Oath bound them not to separate until they had given France a constitution.