A proprietary colony is a type of settlement in which a single individual or a group of individuals holds the rights to govern and manage the land. This system was common in the early days of European colonization in North America, where the British Crown granted land to proprietors. These proprietors had the authority to create laws, establish a government, and oversee the colony's administration. Examples of proprietary colonies include Pennsylvania, founded by William Penn, and Maryland, established by Cecilius Calvert. In these colonies, the proprietors often sought to create communities based on specific religious or social ideals, allowing for a degree of self-governance while still being subject to the overarching authority of the British Crown.