A legal document that grants rights and privileges to a specific group or organization during the 17th century. It was often used by European powers to establish colonies or trading companies in new territories.
Related terms
Colonial Charters: Legal documents that granted specific rights and permissions for establishing colonies in North America.
Joint-Stock Company: An early form of corporation where investors pooled their resources together to fund colonial ventures.
Royal Charter: A charter granted directly by the monarch, giving more direct control from the crown over colonial affairs.