Who gave Maryland its name?

George Calvert was a favourite courtier of King James I, who made him Lord Baltimore and promised him a grant of land in the region of Newfoundland. Baltimore sailed for his new territory but decided that the place was too cold and barren for him. He complained, and the new king, Charles I, agreed to give him part of Virginia instead. The Charter was accepted by the second Lord Baltimore, his father having died. He was delighted, for he had been given a vast estate, with freedom to make his own laws and coin his own money. He informed the king that he would call the colony ‘Crescentia’ but the king insisted that it be called Maryland, in honour of his queen, Henrietta Maria. In fact, the second Lord Baltimore never went to America, the colony being governed on his behalf by his brother, Leonard Calvert.