What is the Calvert's manor system?

The Calvert's manor system, established by the Calvert family in colonial Maryland, was a feudal-like structure that granted landowners significant control over their estates and the people living on them. This system involved large land grants to wealthy individuals, who acted as landlords and managed their estates, often relying on tenant farmers or indentured servants for labor. The system aimed to encourage settlement and agricultural development while maintaining social hierarchies reminiscent of European feudalism. Over time, it contributed to the economic and social framework of colonial Maryland.