These colors were officially granted to Calvert in 1625, and their placement on the flag reflects the foundational role he played in establishing Maryland’s identity. The black and gold of the Calvert family were embraced by Unionists, while the red and white Crossland Cross became a standard for Southern sympathizers in Maryland and the Confederacy.
The Unofficial Use Era of the Maryland Flag During the Civil War Divide
The Maryland flag stands as one of the most distinctive and historically rich standards in the United States, immediately recognizable for its striking combination of black and gold quarters quartered with the red and white Crossland Cross. The Crossland Connection Contrasting the Calvert heritage, the red and white quarters belong to the Crossland family, the lineage of George Calvert’s mother.
In 1904, the Maryland General Assembly officially adopted the flag, resolving to embrace the full design rather than choose one side over the other. A Banner Divided by War The history of the Maryland flag is inextricably linked to the American Civil War, a period that transformed the flag from a simple heraldic emblem into a potent symbol of loyalty and division.
The Unofficial Use Era of the Divided Maryland Flag
During the conflict, the state was sharply split between Union and Confederate sympathizers. This decision was a powerful act of reconciliation, officially recognizing that the state’s identity was built upon the union of both the Calvert and Crossland lineages, regardless of their differing allegiances during the war.
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