| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The charter for Maryland Colony, an English territory in North America, was granted to Cęcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, on June 20, 1632. Some historians view this as a form of compensation for his father's being stripped of his title of Secretary of State upon announcing his Roman Catholicism in 1625. The charter had originally been granted first to Calvert's father, George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, but the father had died before it could be executed. The charter of the Province of Maryland was signed by Charles I and was named after his Queen Consort, Henrietta Maria.
Lord Baltimore was a staunch Catholic, which was extremely stigmatic for a nobleman in 17th century16th century 17th century 18th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601- 1700. During this period, the power of England and the United Provinces increased; while that of England, where Roman Catholics were enemies of the crown and of the country. Baltimore's two goals were to create a haven for British Catholics but at the same time turn a profit. Without Protestant settlers to provide the backbone of the colony's population, it would most likely fail. For this reason, Lord Baltimore instructed his brother Leonard CalvertLeonard Calvert ( 1606 1647) was the younger son of George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore. When his older brother Caecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore received a charter for the colony of Maryland in 1632, Leonard was appointed the colony's first governor, who was to be the colony's governorA governor is an official who heads the government of a colony, state or other sub-national state unit. Most countries in the world have some sort of official known as a governor, though in some countries, the heads of the states, provinces and regions ma, to keep the religion of the Catholic settlers quiet to avoid dissent. The first settlers arrived on March 25March 25 is the 84th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (85th in leap years). There are 281 days remaining. Events 708 Constantine is consecrated Pope. 1306 Robert the Bruce becomes King of Scotland. 1409 The Council of Pisa opens. 1634 The first s 1634Events Moses Amyraut's Traite de la predestination is published Curacao captured by the Dutch Treaty of Polianovska First meeting of the Academie francaise The witchcraft affair at Loudun Jean Nicolet lands at Green Bay, Wisconsin Opening of Covent Garden aboard the Ark and Dove. About 150 settlers survived the voyage. Land was quickly purchased form the Yaocomico Indians, and St. Mary's City was founded.
The foundational charter of Maryland created a feudal state, one ruled by the Palatine lordA Palatine lord is a title of nobility that grants a degree of royal power over an area to its bearer. See also count palatine., Lord Baltimore. As ruler, he owned directly all of the land granted in the charter (almost 6,000,000 acres [24,000 km²]), possessing absolute authority over his domain and requiring settlers to swear allegiance to him, and not the King of England. The charter created an upper aristocracy of lords of the manor, who bought 6,000 acres (24 km²) from Baltimore and held legal and social privileges over the common settlers.