charter colony definition
Charter colony. Charter colony is one of the three classes of colonial government established in the 17th century English colonies in North America, the other classes being proprietary colony and royal colony.The colonies of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Bay were charter colonies.In a charter colony, the King granted a charter to the colonial government establishing the rules under which the colony was to be governed.harter colony. Charter colony is one of the three classes of colonial government established in the 17th century English colonies in North America, the other classes being proprietary colony and royal colony.