The Maryland State Flag
The Maryland state flag consists of the banner of George Calvert, first Baron of Baltimore and Lord of Baltimore. The flag was officially adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 1904.
The black and gold design on the flag is the coat of arms from the Calvert line. It was granted to George Calvert as a reward for his storming a fortification during a battle. The red and white design is the coat of arms of the Crossland line, the family of Calvert's (Lord Baltimore's) mother, and features a cross bottony with the red and white sides of the cross alternating. Since George Calvert's mother was an heiress, he was entitled to use both coats of arms in his banner.
|
|
