u/violet-kasumi

i want the gyaru

In 1632, the Maryland Palatinate was granted to Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, spanning the entirety of the Chesapeake Bay from the 40th parallel to the York River. Such a large territory sparked debate with Maryland's neighbors, especially Pennsylvania, who desired to establish their main port in territory claimed by Maryland, but King George I's grudge against the Penn family kept him backing every one of Maryland's claims. With vast amounts of arable land and a government promoting religious freedom, Maryland attracted many settlers, especially Catholic Germans fleeing the European wars of religion. Calvert's family would govern this territory under British dominion for 150 years, until revolution swept the North American colonies in 1776.

Maryland along with the other southern colonies remained largely loyalist for some time, but as the revolution spread south, 7th Baron Baltimore, Henry Calvert, feared an uprising from his people. Or worse, the Pennsylvanians. The Baltimore Convention was held between leaders of Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia on how to best preserve their states, and a compromise was reached with the British crown.

Maryland established an independent parliament, and additional autonomous status from Britain, akin to the dominion system. Henry Calvert was named Duke of Baltimore, still subservient to the British crown, and Maryland was elevated to a duchy. While the United States fractured under internal pressure and fails to reform, Maryland remained mostly stable. As the 1763 Proclamation was repealed, Maryland pushed its border westward across the Appalachian Mountains, competing with Virginia along the way but gaining access to the Ohio River.

Despite officially still being a British colony, Maryland developed a unique culture, influenced by its maritime industries and German migrant population. Its population grew weary of British rule following World War I, and pushed for a referendum for independence. Britain, not having much use for the colony, reluctantly allowed their independence under the condition that the Duke of Baltimore never assume the title of King. Maryland stayed neutral in World War II, and as of 2026 remains the only state with a British monarch.

I really like the Maryland flag, but something that's always irked me was that the Crossland flag (the red and white parts) come from a Confederate symbol; the flag was flown by Marylanders who wanted to join the Confederacy. They lost the war, so I don't think they deserve representation on the state flag. Instead I drew from the Baron of Baltimore's flag (the other half of the current Maryland flag) and added the state flower.