page_title: Josias Fendall
section_title: Fendall's Rebellion
hierarchical_section_title: Josias Fendall / Biography / Fendall's Rebellion
context_page_description: Lieutenant-General Josias Fendall, Esq., was the 4th Proprietary Governor of Maryland. He was born in England, and came to the Province of Maryland. He was the progenitor of the Fendall family in America.
context_section_description: Toward the end of his tenure as governor, Fendall was criticized by the proprietor for negligence at courts and for contradicting court orders.  In March, 1660, with a number of associates, including Capt. William Fuller (died 1695), and the Assembly, he suddenly attempted to overthrow the proprietary government. This was a bloodless rebellion against Lord Baltimore, probably instigated by the Cromwell Government in England, and was termed "Fendall's Rebellion".
  This rebellion was instigated at a meeting of the Assembly, which took place at the residence of Dr. Thomas Gerard I, Esq. (1608–1673).  On the tenth day, the Lower House sent a message to the governor and council, that they intended to be the highest court without being depended upon by the Upper House.  Many compared this act to the time when the Commons of England had abolished the House of Lords and made themselves alone the Parliament of the realm.  In addition this meant that they wanted to be independent of the Proprietor, Lord Baltimore.  Two days of conferences resulted with the two bodies sitting as one.  Thus, Maryland had gone back to a unicameral legislature of earlier times.  Fendall accepted these conditions and tendered to the Assembly his resignation, as governor under Lord Baltimore, however at the same time, he accepted from the Assembly, a new commission.  He attempted to set up in its place, a commonwealth in which the supreme power would be vested in a House of Burgesses.  Over this body the governor was to preside; but the House, retaining its speaker, was to have the power to adjourn and dissolve.  Secretary Philip Calvert, protested these proceedings and asked permission to leave.
  The attempted revolution was easily frustrated, thanks to the fall of the Cromwell Government, May 29, 1660, and the return of Charles II (1630–1685) to England as King.  On June 24, 1660, Lord Baltimore commissioned his younger brother and Josias' former advisor, Philip Calvert (1626–1682), as governor, and Charles II, commanded "obedience to him".  The proprietor asked "that perfidious and perjured fellow, Fendall" to be arrested and forfeit his life.  However, the provincial court only issued an order to confiscate his estate and banish him from the province.
  Subsequently, in response to a petition for mercy to the Governor and council, and although the Lord proprietor had specially given injunction not to allow him to escape with his life, he was pardoned, and, his punishment was reduced to disfranchisement and disqualification for office.
caption: Charles II (1630–1685) was restored as King of England in 1660
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