Mary's-Land: "Terra Mariae"

Maryland is one of the 13 original colonies and named after Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I.

Maryland got its name from Henrietta Maria. She was the daughter of King Henry IV of France and Marie de Médici of Italy. In 1625, Henrietta Maria married King Charles I and became Queen of England. King Charles I's choice to make Henrietta Maria his wife was controversial because she and her family were Roman Catholics rather than members of the Church of England.

Queen Henrietta Maria was unpopular with many English people and members of Parliament because she assisted English Catholics like the Calverts. The Calverts chose to name their new province in North American, Mary-land, (“Terra Mariae”) in the queen's honor.

Henrietta Maria's life was difficult due to the English Civil Wars that occurred during her husband's reign. She had to flee England while her husband was on trial for treason against his nation. She went to the Netherlands to raise money and soldiers to support King Charles I.

The history of Maryland has been amply documented, here, here and in the Maryland State Archives. The Maryland State flag is the only flag in the Nation to bear a "bottony" as an ornament atop the flagstaff. The State is referred to as "The Old Line State" and the "Free State" (indicating its "freedom from a State-proscribed religion").