Colonial charters were legal documents granted by a monarch or governing authority that established a colony and defined its boundaries, governance, and rights. These charters often outlined the powers of the colonial government and the rights of the settlers, serving as a framework for the colony's operation. Many of the original thirteen colonies in what is now the United States were established under such charters, including Virginia and Massachusetts. These documents played a crucial role in the early development of colonial America, influencing the relationship between the colonies and the British Crown.