Michael Brooks
Maryland was founded as a Catholic colony, with the first proprietor of Maryland, Cecilius Calvert, also known as the second Lord Baltimore, being a conscientious Catholic. The colony was established as a haven for Catholics, who had long been persecuted by their Protestant countrymen. The Calverts, who were granted proprietary rights to the colony by King Charles I, sought to address Protestant fears, assuring their Protestant countrymen that they posed no threat and only wished to worship freely as Catholics and live in peace and harmony with their neighbors. Despite their efforts, anti-Catholic activity persisted, and Maryland eventually became a predominantly Protestant colony, with Protestants passing a wave of repressive, anti-Catholic measures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the first proprietor of Maryland | Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore |
| Religion of the first proprietor of Maryland | Catholic |
| Religion of the first settlers in Maryland | Catholic and Protestant |
| Religious freedom in Maryland | Yes, until the Protestant Revolution in 1689 |
| Religious tolerance in Maryland | Yes, until the anti-Catholic activity in the 19th century |
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What You'll Learn
- George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, was granted proprietary rights to Maryland by King Charles I in 1632
- George Calvert died before he could travel to Maryland, and his son Cecilius Calvert became the first Proprietary of Maryland
- Cecilius Calvert was a Roman Catholic, and Maryland was intended to be a haven for persecuted English Catholics
- Despite assurances from the Calverts, anti-Catholic sentiment and activities persisted in Maryland
- Religious freedom was eventually revoked, and Catholics were banned from worship and barred from voting
George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, was granted proprietary rights to Maryland by King Charles I in 1632
In 1632, King Charles I of England granted a charter to George Calvert, yielding him proprietary rights to a region east of the Potomac River. This territory was named Maryland in honour of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of Charles I. George Calvert was the first Lord Baltimore and the first Proprietary of Maryland.
George Calvert was a Roman Catholic. In 1625, he was created the first Baron Baltimore, of Baltimore, County Longford, in the peerage of Ireland, which did not give him a seat in the English House of Lords. He formally converted to Roman Catholicism the same year. It is likely that his children followed him, at least his sons did. In 1628, George Calvert's son Cecil Calvert accompanied him to the newly settled Colony of Newfoundland, which failed due to disease, extreme cold, and attacks by the French.
George Calvert died in April 1632, before the settlement of Maryland began. He was succeeded by his son Cecilius, who became the second Lord Baltimore and the second Proprietary of Maryland. Cecilius sought to establish Maryland as a haven for Roman Catholics persecuted in England. In March 1634, the first English settlers—a carefully selected group of Catholics and Protestants—arrived at St. Clement’s Island aboard the Ark and the Dove.
However, despite the Calverts' efforts to establish Maryland as a place of religious freedom, anti-Catholic sentiment and activities persisted. In 1689, an Anglican minister and zealous anti-Catholic, John Coode, led an armed force against the colonial capital, present-day Annapolis. With a new Protestant governor in place, Maryland passed a wave of repressive, anti-Catholic religious and civil measures. It wasn't until the 19th century, when many Catholic immigrants to America chose Baltimore as their home, that laws were enacted to protect the free practice of religion for Catholics.
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George Calvert died before he could travel to Maryland, and his son Cecilius Calvert became the first Proprietary of Maryland
Maryland was founded as a haven for Catholics, who had long been persecuted by their Protestant countrymen. In 1632, King Charles I of England granted a charter to George Calvert, yielding him proprietary rights to a region east of the Potomac River. The territory was named Maryland in honour of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I.
Before settlement began, George Calvert died and was succeeded by his son Cecilius, or Cecil, Calvert, who became the first Proprietary of Maryland. Cecilius sought to establish Maryland as a haven for Roman Catholics who were persecuted in England. In March 1634, the first English settlers—a group of Catholics and Protestants—arrived at St. Clement’s Island aboard the Ark and the Dove.
Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, governed Maryland's affairs since its founding for 44 years, dying in England in 1675. After his death, the Protestant Revolution along the Chesapeake Bay ("Glorious Revolution") of 1689 ended Roman Catholic control of the Province of Maryland colony.
Although Maryland started as a haven for Catholics, Protestants quickly became the majority. Anti-Catholic activity persisted until the 19th century, when many Catholic immigrants to America chose Baltimore as their home and helped enact laws to protect their free practice of religion.
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Cecilius Calvert was a Roman Catholic, and Maryland was intended to be a haven for persecuted English Catholics
Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, was a Roman Catholic. He was the first proprietor of Maryland, which was intended to be a haven for persecuted English Catholics.
Cecilius Calvert's father, George Calvert, was the first Lord Baltimore. In 1625, George Calvert was created the first Baron Baltimore, and he formally converted to Roman Catholicism the same year. In 1632, King Charles I of England granted George Calvert a charter, yielding him proprietary rights to a region east of the Potomac River. The territory was named Maryland in honour of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of Charles I. However, George Calvert died before the charter could be issued to him, so it was instead issued to his son, Cecilius Calvert, in June 1632.
Cecilius Calvert sought to establish Maryland as a haven for Roman Catholics who were persecuted in England. In March 1634, the first English settlers—a group of Catholics and Protestants—arrived at St. Clement's Island. Maryland was intended to be a place where Catholics could worship freely and live in peace and harmony with their neighbours. The Calverts knew that anti-Catholic sentiment could disrupt their plans, so they published a paper titled "Objections Answered Touching Maryland" to address Protestant fears. They insisted that they posed no threat to the Protestant colonies and had no desire to subvert the English Crown or proselytize their Protestant neighbours.
Despite the Calverts' efforts, religious conflict persisted in Maryland. Although Maryland started as a haven for Catholics, Protestants quickly became the majority. In 1689, an Anglican minister and zealous anti-Catholic named John Coode led an armed force against the colonial capital, Annapolis. With a new Protestant governor in place, Maryland passed a wave of repressive, anti-Catholic measures. Catholic worship was banned, and Catholics were barred from voting. It wasn't until the 19th century, when many Catholic immigrants to America chose Baltimore as their home, that laws were enacted to protect the free practice of religion for Catholics.
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Despite assurances from the Calverts, anti-Catholic sentiment and activities persisted in Maryland
Maryland was founded as a Catholic colony, with the first settlers arriving on 25 March 1634. The colony was granted by King Charles I to George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, in 1632. George Calvert died shortly after, and his son Cecilius (Cecil) Calvert succeeded him as the second Lord Baltimore and the first Proprietary of Maryland. The colony was named in honour of Henrietta Maria, the Catholic queen consort of Charles I.
The Calverts intended Maryland to be a refuge for English Catholics, who had long been persecuted by their Protestant countrymen. In an attempt to address Protestant fears, the Calverts published a paper titled "Objections Answered Touching Maryland". They insisted that they posed no threat to the Protestant colonies in Virginia and New England, and that they had no intention of subverting the English Crown, allying with the Spanish, or proselytising their Protestant neighbours. All they wanted, the Calverts explained, was to worship freely as Catholics and live in peace with their neighbours.
Despite these assurances, anti-Catholic sentiment and activities persisted in Maryland. Although Maryland started as a haven for Catholics, Protestants quickly became the majority. Religious conflict was strong in the ensuing years, as the American Puritans, supported by Puritans in England, sought to revoke the religious freedoms guaranteed in the founding of the colony. In 1651, Cecilius Calvert set apart 10,000 acres of land near Calverton Manor for the benefit of Indian converts, which further fuelled anti-Catholic sentiment.
The tensions between Catholics and Protestants came to a head in 1689, when John Coode, an Anglican minister and zealous anti-Catholic, led an armed force against the colonial capital, present-day Annapolis. The Catholic government tried to rally Marylanders to put down Coode’s Rebellion, but few were willing. Lord Baltimore's men were forced to surrender, and a new Protestant governor was installed. Marylanders then passed a wave of repressive, anti-Catholic religious and civil measures. The Toleration Act was revoked, Catholic worship was banned, and Catholics were barred from voting. This marked the end of Roman Catholic control of the Province of Maryland colony and the establishment of Protestant supremacy.
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Religious freedom was eventually revoked, and Catholics were banned from worship and barred from voting
The answer to your question requires some historical context. The Catholic presence in Maryland, and the religious freedom they initially enjoyed, is closely tied to the Calvert family, the first proprietors of Maryland. George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, was a prominent English politician and a member of the Church of England, but he converted to Catholicism later in his life. He envisioned a colony in the New World where Catholics, who were facing persecution in England, could practice their faith freely. In 1632, he received a royal charter from King Charles I to establish the colony of Maryland, which he intended as a haven for Catholic refugees.
Maryland became a refuge for Catholics, who could own property, hold public office, and practice their faith openly. This period of religious tolerance, however, did not last indefinitely. The Calvert family, who governed Maryland, initially promoted religious tolerance, but the situation changed when the English Civil War broke out in 1642. The Calvert family, loyal to the king, lost control of the colony to the Puritans, who were in power in England at the time. In 1649, the Act of Toleration was passed, guaranteeing freedom of worship to all Christians, including Catholics.
However, this period of religious freedom was short-lived. With the rise of Puritan influence in the colony and later political shifts, the religious landscape of Maryland changed dramatically. In 1654, the Puritans overthrew the Calvert government and imposed strict anti-Catholic laws. Catholic mass was banned, Catholic priests were forbidden from entering the colony, and Catholics were prohibited from participating in the political process, including voting. These laws remained in effect for over a decade, during which time Catholics in Maryland faced significant persecution and were forced to practice their faith in secret.
The revocation of religious freedom and the subsequent banning of Catholic worship and voting rights represented a significant shift in Maryland's early history. It demonstrated the fragile nature of religious tolerance and the powerful influence of political and religious factions within the colony. The experience of Catholics in Maryland during this time serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom and the importance of safeguarding the rights of religious minorities.
It is important to note that the situation for Catholics in Maryland improved once again in the late 17th century when the Calvert family regained control of the colony. They reinstated the policies of religious tolerance, allowing Catholics and other religious groups to practice their faiths freely. This period of religious harmony contributed to the development of Maryland as a diverse and relatively tolerant colony, setting a precedent for religious freedom that would later be enshrined in the United States Constitution.
Overall, the story of religious freedom in Maryland is complex and dynamic, reflecting the changing political and social landscape of the colony. The experience of Catholics in Maryland highlights the ongoing tension between religious tolerance and persecution in the early American colonies and the enduring quest for religious freedom and equality.
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Frequently asked questions
Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, was the first proprietor of Maryland.
Yes, Cecilius Calvert was a conscientious Catholic.
No, Cecilius Calvert never travelled to Maryland.
