Great Seal - MDSOS Kids' Page

The Great Seal of Maryland

REVERSE - The original Great Seal of Maryland, given to Lord Baltimore in 1633, was lost or destroyed in the first act of war between Lord Baltimore's supporters and the Puritans.

The front of the seal (called the reverse side) shows a shield, bearing the Calvert and Crossland arms quartered. Above is an earl's coronet and a full-faced helmet. The shield is supported on one side by a farmer and on the other by a fisherman. They symbolize Lord Baltimore's two estates: Maryland, and Avalon in Newfoundland . The Calvert motto on the scroll is Fatti maschii parole femine, and means "strong deeds, gentle words." The Latin words on the border mean "with favor wilt thou compass us as with a shield." The date, 1632, refers to the year the Maryland charter was granted by Charles I, King of England, to Cecilius Calvert, second Lord Baltimore.

The other side (called the obverse side) of the Seal shows Lord Baltimore as a knight in full armor mounted on a charger. The inscription translated is "Cecilius, Absoulute Lord of Maryland and Avalon, Baron of Baltimore."