Maryland (Cromwell the Great)

The Commonwealth of Maryland is a nominally independent nation in North America, a member of the United American Provinces. The country is technically an overseas possession of Britain but in practice has full internal autonomy. Foreign Affairs are still the provence of the British government; however, the country in practice maintains its own relations with foreign governments, mostly in North America, without hinderance from London. The British government is represented by a resident Commissioner, an appointee of Britain, but the internal affairs of Maryland's government are managed by the Chief Executive, who is democratically elected. Maryland was named for Henrietta Maria, Consort of King Charles I of England. After the downfall of the House of Stuart and the establishment of the Republic, the British government renamed the settlement to Elizabeth, after Cromwell's wife. The colony of Elizabeth was renamed to Maryland in 1745, which it has remained since.