The first Lord Baltimore, a proud Catholic, envisioned the Maryland Colony
Province of Maryland
The Province of Maryland was an English and later British colony in North America that existed from 1632 until 1776, when it joined the other twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in rebellion against Great Britain and became the U.S. state of Maryland. Its first settlement and capital was St. Mary's City, i…
Henrietta Maria of France
Henrietta Maria of France was queen consort of England, Scotland, and Ireland as the wife of King Charles I. She was mother of his two immediate successors, Charles II and James II and VII.
Full Answer
Who was Lord Baltimore and what did he do?
Lord Baltimore. I n 1649, in the English colony of Maryland, a law was issued by Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baron of Baltimore (1605–1675; known as Lord Baltimore), the governor of the colony, banning criticism of various forms of Christianity and allowing people to practice their Christian religion freely.
Who is the founder of the city of Baltimore?
Lord Baltimore: Founder of Maryland The present city of Baltimore dates from July 30, 1729, and is named after Cæcilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore, who was the first Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland. Like many early U.S. cities, this name originated from Europe.
Why is Baltimore named after Lord Baltimore?
Sir George and his son, Cecil Calvert, were British subjects rewarded with land in the new world. Cecil Calvert was the 2nd Lord Baltimore. It is after him that the Maryland city of Baltimore is named after. Thus, in American history, Lord Baltimore usually refers to Cecil Calvert.
What was the purpose of the Lord Baltimore Act?
Lord Baltimore. The act was issued at a time when England was in the midst of a civil war in which religion was a central issue. The act made Maryland a refuge for English Catholics who were often persecuted for their beliefs during the English civil war (1638–60).
What was Lord Baltimore's vision for Maryland?
The first Lord Baltimore, a proud Catholic, envisioned the Maryland Colony as a place where English people would have religious freedom. He also wished to found the colony for economic gain. The new colony was named Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of Charles I.
What was Lord calverts vision for Maryland?
Exploring Maryland's Roots: Library: George Calvert, First Lord Baltimore (c. 1580-1632) George Calvert was the first person to dream of a colony in America where Catholics and Protestants could prosper together.
What did Lord Baltimore want?
George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, also called (1617–25) Sir George Calvert, (born 1578/79, Kipling, Yorkshire, Eng. —died April 15, 1632), English statesman who projected the founding of the North American province of Maryland, in an effort to find a sanctuary for practicing Roman Catholics.
Why did Lord Baltimore want to start a colony?
George Calvert was also called Lord Baltimore. He was a Roman Catholic. George Calvert wanted to start a colony because of religious problems in England. Catholics could not openly observe their religion.
What happened to the Calverts dream of making Maryland?
What happened to the Calverts' dream of making Maryland home to wealthy Catholics? More Protestants than Catholics settled there.
What is Lord Baltimore known for?
Lord Baltimore, also known as George Calvert, 1st Baron of Baltimore, was interested in the English colonization of the New World to establish a refuge for England's Catholic population. Calvert was instrumental in the British settlement of Avalon, located off of the coast of Canada's Newfoundland.
What was the main reason Maryland founded?
The Calverts founded Maryland for the primary reason of giving Catholics a safe place to settle and practice their religion freely.
Who was the leader of the Maryland Colony?
George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, applied to Charles I for a royal charter for what was to become the Province of Maryland. After Calvert died in April 1632, the charter for "Maryland Colony" was granted to his son, Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, on June 20, 1632.
Why was Maryland a successful colony?
Maryland was a place for both profit and worship. It was also an opportunity for Catholics to introduce their religion to the Native population of the region. Religious conversion of Native Americans was encouraged but was not a major goal of colonization in Maryland. increase it was important to acquire colonies.
Why was the colony of Maryland established quizlet?
Maryland was a Southern Colony founded by Lord Baltimore to make money from the colony and to provide a safe place for Catholics.
Why is Maryland so important?
Maryland is a leader in manufacturing, computers, communication and other high-tech equipment. Not surprisingly, printing for the federal government and all those other service industries is big business. Food processing, from soft drinks and spices to seafood, is also important in Maryland.
Who are the Calverts of Maryland?
Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore, Maryland. Cecil (or Cecilius in Latin) Calvert was still a young man of 26 years when his father, George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, died in 1632. Upon his father's death, Cecil became the Second Baron of Baltimore and inherited the colonies and lands owned by his father.
Who designed the Maryland flag?
Cecil Calvert, 2nd BaronFlag of MarylandUseCivil and state flagProportionUnidentifiedAdoptedMarch 9, 1904DesignHeraldic banner of Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore3 more rows
What did the Maryland Toleration Act say?
Toleration Act made blasphemy a crime The law made it a crime to blaspheme God, the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, or the early apostles and evangelists. It also forbade one resident from referring to another's religion in a disparaging way and it provided for honoring the Sabbath.
What is the Maryland flag based on?
heraldryHistory of the Maryland Flag. The Maryland flag has been described as the perfect state flag — bold colors, interesting patterns, and correct heraldry—a flag that fairly shouts "Maryland." The design of the flag comes from the shield in the coat of arms of the Calvert family, the colonial proprietors of Maryland.
What was the name of the first Lord of Baltimore?
It was at this point in 1625 that George Calvert officially became the Baron of Baltimore, making him the first Lord Baltimore. However, after this, Calvert's standing in English politics fell even further, and he was forced to resign as secretary of state. Immediately after his resignation, George Calvert converted to Catholicism. However, as a Catholic, Lord Baltimore could no longer hold public office in England, and with that being the case, George Calvert turned his attention to the North American colonies.
What was the significance of the Second Lord Baltimore's Law of Toleration?
The Second Lord Baltimore left an important legacy in the Maryland colony concerning religious freedom . In 1647, his brother Leonard died, and a rash of violence against Catholics swept the colony. After the violence and tumult settled in 1649, Cecil wrote 'A Law of Maryland Concerning Religion'. This came to be known as the Maryland Toleration Act and mandated religious tolerance in the colony. It protected the free exercise of Christian religion and anyone who believed in Jesus Christ, including Catholics. Although the Act represented a major step for religious toleration in America, many argue that the power of the Act has been overstated because it did not protect all faiths, and the people of Maryland actually repealed it a few years later. Nevertheless, Cecil's language of 'free exercise' and message of tolerance would later influence the U.S. Constitution.
What did George Calvert do to help the colonists?
Then, in 1620, he bought a tract of land in Newfoundland, which he called Avalon. The Calverts visited the colony in 1627, but soon left as a result of the bitter cold climate and disease. With the failure of Avalon, Lord Baltimore looked to the warmer climate of Chesapeake Bay. As Catholics, the Calverts were not allowed to settle in Virginia, so Calvert petitioned King Charles I, who had succeeded King James, to grant him a charter for land just north of Virginia. George Calvert hoped that this new colony could be a haven for British Catholics in the New World. In 1632, George Calvert died just weeks before the Maryland charter was approved. With his death, the title of Lord Baltimore then passed down to George's son, Cecil.
What is Baltimore named after?
You may know Baltimore, Maryland, as the home of the Orioles and the Ravens, but do you know where the city got its name? Baltimore is named for Lord Baltimore - but here's where it gets tricky. When we talk about Lord Baltimore, we're actually talking about a couple of different men. That's because Lord Baltimore is really a title, kind of like Queen of England is a title. In today's lesson, we're talking about two different men who were given the title 'Lord Baltimore'. These men were George Calvert and his son, Cecil Calvert. We can think of George Calvert as the founder of Maryland, and Cecil Calvert as the settler of Maryland.
Who is Lord Baltimore?
Lord Baltimore is a title held by two men responsible for the establishment of Maryland. Explore the lives and legacies of both men with brief biographies and a look at the Maryland Toleration Act established by the second Lord Baltimore. Updated: 11/01/2021
What was the first colony controlled by a single proprietor?
The charter made Maryland the first colony controlled by a single proprietor. Joint stock companies controlled the other colonies, but the Maryland charter granted unusual autonomy and control to the Calvert family. Lord Baltimore could govern the colony almost like an independent country. Colonists bought land directly from Lord Baltimore and swore allegiance to him instead of the King of England. And, as his father had hoped, Maryland became a haven for persecuted Catholics. The power and influence of Lord Baltimore and the Calvert family are still represented by the state flag of Maryland, which bears the family's heraldic banner.
Why was Maryland named after the Queen's wife?
Four years after the Puritans established their outpost in Salem, a Catholic aristocrat in England, Lord Baltimore, received a charter, or permission, from King Charles to establish a colony in North America, to be called Maryland in honor of the King's wife, Queen Henrietta Maria. (At the time, the king of England claimed control over a broad stretch of North America along the Atlantic coast; in turn, he granted charters to companies or individuals, as in the case of his friend Lord Baltimore, to organize settlements.) Lord Baltimore founded Maryland as a safe haven for Catholics who were persecuted by Puritans in New England and Church of England settlers in the colony of Virginia. But Protestants in other colonies, who strongly disapproved of establishing a Catholic colony in North America, moved into Maryland, soon leaving Catholics as a minority representing only a quarter of the population. As a result, Lord Baltimore felt compelled to persuade the colonial assembly to pass a law in 1649 that allowed Christians of all persuasions to practice their religious beliefs in peace.
What was the English Civil War about?
Although the English civil war seemed to be about religion, it also took in two different views of the nature of government. King Charles I had believed that whatever powers the Parliament held were, in essence, a gift of the king. Members of Parliament, on the other hand, felt just the opposite: that the real authority in the country should rest with the elected members of Parliament, who might then grant the king some authority. In the decade before, armed conflict broke out between forces loyal to King Charles I and forces loyal to the Puritan-controlled Parliament, the two sides had argued continually over the king's power to levy, or charge, taxes, and the Parliament's unwillingness to raises taxes as a tool to limit the power of the king.
What did the freedom of religion mean in the colony?
The notion of "freedom of religion" contained in the act did not mean residents of the colony were entirely free; it meant that various forms of the Christian faith were permitted to coexist. People caught criticizing religion in general, or specific beliefs of religious sects (such as the importance of the mother of Jesus, which was a central belief of the Catholic religion) were subject to being fined, imprisoned, or whipped in public.
Who was the king of England during the Civil War?
Upon the death of Charles II, his brother, James II (1633–1701; reigned 1685–88), who had converted to Catholicism, became king. Although the Puritans did not maintain control of the British government, the Catholic Church was not reestablished as the official church of the country. James did, however, try to install Catholics in high positions. Protestant nobles upset by James welcomed Dutch prince William of Orange (William III; 1650–1702; reigned 1689–1702), and his English wife Mary (1662–1694), as king and queen of England. In a bloodless revolution called the Glorious Revolution of 1688, James was forced to abdicate, or give up the throne, to William and Mary.
Why did the English settle in America?
But followers of various Protestant religious leaders emigrated for a different reason: They seized on the opportunity to establish settlements in North America where they could worship according to their religious convictions without interference by authorities in England. The best known of these religious groups in North America were the Pilgrims, who established a settlement at Plymouth in 1620, called the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Pilgrims were so-called Separatists, meaning they wanted to establish a church separate from the Church of England rather than reform it. A larger group of religiously motivated settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony were the Puritans, who established the town of Salem in 1628. (Two years later, a larger group of Puritans founded another town, Boston, also in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.) Although these early settlers are sometimes described as seeking religious freedom, this did not mean freedom for everyone. The Puritans, in particular, were intent on having an official church—the Church of England—that was "purified" of Roman Catholic influence.
Who was the first Lord of Baltimore?
George Calvert was awarded the Barony of Baltimore in County Cork Ireland in 1625 by King James I of England and hence became the first Lord Baltimore. Although initially part of Virginia, Maryland became a separate colony under a charter granted to Lord Baltimore George Calvert (ca. 1579–15 April 1632) and it was established in 1634 under his son.
Who was the first baron of Maryland?
George Calvert (1579–1632), First Baron Baltimore, Eighth Proprietary Governor of Newfoundland, applied to King Charles I for a royal charter for what was to become the Province of Maryland, but he died five weeks before the new Charter was sealed, leaving the settlement of the Maryland colony to his son Cæcilius (Cecil) Calvert (1605–1675).
Where did Baltimore get its name?
The name "Baltimore" is derived from the County Longford, Ireland manor of the Calvert family, the Lords Baltimore, who founded Maryland in 1634. Of course it is not the only place in the state to have received its name through various associations with the Calverts: Cecil, Calvert, Harford, Ann Arundel Counties, and Leonardtown are other examples. Cecil Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore named the colony for Queen Henrietta Maria, consort of the then king of England, Charles l, who granted the charter for the colony in 1632.
When did Maryland become a state?
state when it ratified the U.S. Constitution on April 28, 1788.
Who was declared an outlaw after his men fought a battle with the Marylanders at the Pocomoke?
The same could not be said for Claiborne who, although first tolerated by the Calverts, was shortly to be declared an outlaw after his men fought a battle with the Marylanders at the Pocomoke River in 1635. The Marylanders seized Kent Island, displacing the Virginians.
Who was the secretary of state of Virginia in 1631?
In 1631, three years before Cecil Calvert's band of settlers arrived at the Chesapeake, William Claiborne, Secretary of State of Virginia, had already established a trading post on Kent Island. Jesuit priest Andrew White, chronicler of the Maryland settlement, wrote that the Virginia council desired nothing more than the colonists' "ruine." He said that Claiborne had apparently stirred up the local Indians against the Maryland colonists. Indeed, he said, the settlers learned that the "Indians were all in armes to resist us," having been told that the Spanish were coming to destroy them all. White attributed this rumor to Claiborne, who was actively trying to undermine the new colony. Fortunately, relations with the Indians proved friendly in the vicinity of the new settlement of St. Mary's City, where Cecil's brother Philip Calvert established the strong point for the Maryland colony.
Who was the 2nd Baron of Baltimore?
After Calvert died in April 1632, the charter for "Maryland Colony" (in Latin Terra Mariae) was granted to Cecilius (Cecil) Calvert (8 August 1605--30 November 1675), 2nd Baron Baltimore, on June 20, 1632. Although Cecil delegated his younger brother Leonard Calvert to serve as governor of the new colony, Leonard would not arrive at the colony until March 25, 1634, which would later to be celebrated as "Maryland Day" (an official state and local holiday).
What did Lord Baltimore do in his life?
Lord Baltimore spent the rest of his life in colonizing activities. He had been a member of the Virginia and New England companies, and in 1620 he had bought land in Newfoundland. He named it Avalon, and James granted it to him as a palatinate. This gave him feudal power, subject only to the king.
Who was the first Lord of Baltimore?
The colony of Maryland was founded and long governed by an English family. George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore (1580?–1632), planned the colony but did not live to see it formed. His sons carried on his work. They were Cecil, second Lord Baltimore (1605?–1675) and Leonard (1606–47). The largest city in Maryland, Baltimore, is named for the Lords Baltimore.
Why did Calvert resign?
In 1625 Calvert became a Roman Catholic. He resigned his post, because Catholics were forbidden to take the oath of supremacy to the Crown. James rewarded his past service, however, by making him first baron of Baltimore in the Irish county of Longford and gave him large Irish estates.
When did Calvert return to Avalon?
In 1621 and 1622 Calvert sent settlers to Avalon, and in 1627 he inspected it briefly. He returned with his family in 1628, hoping to establish a haven for English Catholics. A winter in the barren, rocky country discouraged him, however; and the family sailed to Virginia and then to England.
Who was George Calvert?
George Calvert was born in Kipling in Yorkshire. His family was of Flemish descent, and it had a successful mercantile business. George graduated from Oxford University and toured Europe. After his travels, he became secretary to Robert Cecil, who was minister to James I.
What was the greatest attraction of the new colony of Maryland?
But perhaps the greatest attraction was that the new colony offered a home to any Christian whether Catholic or Protestant. Although founded as a refuge for Catholics, Lord Baltimore did not want his colony to close its doors on anyone who was suffering for religious views. All were welcomed to Maryland.
Who gave Baltimore a strip of land?
This settled, he went back to England and petitioned Charles I to grant him a strip of land north of the Potomac River, which was not inhabited by English. King Charles consented, and a charter was drawn up. But before it was completed, Lord Baltimore died.
Why was Maryland named after the Queen?
The new colony received the name of Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria, the English Queen. And the ready-made town was called St. Mary's. Unlike the Puritans and the Virginians, the Maryland settlers did not have to till an uncultivated ground.
What did Lord Baltimore write about the winters?
Before long, Lord Baltimore was writing the King that the land was not at all what he had believed it to be; that the hard winters lasted from the middle of October to the middle of May; and that both the land and the water was so frozen up all those months that proper food was out of the question.
What were the settlers' hopes for their colony?
At first it seemed as if this good man's best hopes for his colony might be fulfilled. The settlers were on friendly terms with the Indians. They had no fear of starvation, and their country became a recognized retreat for Puritans and others who wished to have freedom in religion.
Where did Lord Baltimore live?
Be that as it may, for four years they lived in Newfoundland and no one bothered about them. At the end of that time, Lord Baltimore and his family left England to make their home in the Newfoundland colony. They expected to find a paradise; but what they found was very different.
What did the Indians do with the land they bought?
The Indians from whom they had bought the land had enriched the soil, laid out fields, and planted corn and other grains. The great forests, too, were full of game; and the best of fish were to be had for the catching. Good fortune smiled on the newcomers. Such a prosperous beginning promised much for the future.
Who is Lord Baltimore?
Lord Henry Baltimore, eponymous character of the Baltimore by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden. Lord Baltimore, Indian tracker in feature film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, (1969)
What is the name of the locomotive that was used on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad?
Baltimore and Ohio No. 2 Lord Baltimore, steam locomotive of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Things to Remember While Reading An Act Concerning Religion
Descriptions of Religious Groups mentioned in The Act
An Act Concerning Religion
- Forasmuch as in a well governed and Christian Common Wealth matters concerning Religion and the honor of God ought inthe first place to bee taken, into serious consideracion and endeavoured to bee settled, Be it therefore ordered and enacted by the Right Honourable Cecilius Lord Baron of Baltemore absolute Lord and Proprietary of this Province with the advise and consent of this …
What Happened Next …
- In England, the civil war ended with the eventual defeat of the Puritan-controlled Parliament and restoration of the monarchy in Charles II (1630–1685; reigned 1660–85), the eldest son of Charles I. Upon the death of Charles II, his brother, James II (1633–1701; reigned 1685–88), who had converted to Catholicism, became king. Although the Puritans did not maintain control of the Brit…
Did You Know …
- Freedom of religion was not the only distinguishing characteristic of colonial Maryland. Part of the colony's royal charter, or license, granted in 1632 to Lord Baltimore called for laws governing...
- At the same time the Maryland Toleration Act was passed, in the Puritan colony of Massachusetts, blasphemy, a statement showing contempt for God, was punishable by deat…
- Freedom of religion was not the only distinguishing characteristic of colonial Maryland. Part of the colony's royal charter, or license, granted in 1632 to Lord Baltimore called for laws governing...
- At the same time the Maryland Toleration Act was passed, in the Puritan colony of Massachusetts, blasphemy, a statement showing contempt for God, was punishable by death. The general laws of Massac...
For More Information
- Books
Andrews, Matthew Page. The Founding of Maryland. New Yorkand London: D. Appleton-Century, 1933. Fisher, Louis. Religious Liberty in America: Political Safeguards.Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2002. Hamburger, Philip. Separation of Church and State. Cambridge, MA: Harvard … - Periodicals
Schwarz, Frederic D. "1649 Three Hundred and Fifty Years Ago." American Heritage(April 1999): p. 138. Slavicek, Louise Chipley. "Religious Freedom in Colonial America." Cobblestone(January 2000): p. 10.