Was the Massachusetts Bay Colony a Royal Charter Colony or a Proprietary Colony?
The Massachusetts Bay Colony (est. 1629) began as a Chartered Colony under the control of the Massachusetts Bay Company. Started as a refuge for Puritans by John Winthrop and other influential Puritan Businessmen, the colony eventually grew into present-day Boston. In 1691 the Company lost control of the Colony and it was written a new Royal Charter under the direct control of King William and Queen Mary, thus becoming a Royal Colony.