Did Madog ap Owain Gwynedd discover America?
Imagine a world where America was discovered not by Christopher Columbus, but by a Welsh prince named Madog ap Owain Gwynedd in 1170. This intriguing legend, which has captivated historians, explorers, and maritime history enthusiasts for centuries, is a tale I, for one, would love to be true. But what do we really know about this enigmatic figure and his alleged discovery of America?
Who was Madog?
Madog was the son of Owain Gwynedd, the ruler of Gwynedd from 1137 to his death in November 1170. Owain was a great king but rather promiscuous, and some believe he had nineteen children by his two wives, Gladwys and Cristen, and his various concubines. He was a loving father, and in Welsh law at that time, if a father acknowledged his illegitimate children as heirs, they had the same rights as the legitimate sons. Owain had many sons. When Owain died, a brutal succession war ensued among the brothers, and according to legend, wanting to avoid the chaos, Madog decided to flee his homeland along with his brother Rhydir. In two ships, Gorn Gwynant and Pedr Sant, he set sail across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a better land.
The Voyage
If it had been between November and January that Madog set off, perhaps immediately following his father's death, he would have been blessed with good easterly winds blowing from east to west at around 20 to 30 knots. It is also a time with the lowest risk of hurricanes. After about eight weeks and many adventures, legend suggests that Madog landed somewhere in the region of the Gulf of Mexico, possibly on the coast of what is now Alabama. Finding it was a place where he could settle, he returned to Wales to gather a larger group of followers with whom he set sail. After this, there was no more news of Madog, but legend suggests that he established one of the earliest European colonies in the New World, predating the more famous voyages by some centuries. In truth, it is likely that there were earlier settlements by Vikings, and there is even the legend that St Brendan arrived from Ireland in the sixth century.
The Evidence
Despite all its romantic appeal, the Madog legend is supported by much hearsay but not much concrete evidence. The first written account appeared three centuries later, in the 16th century. It was notably mentioned by Queen Elizabeth 1 as a claim for British rights to North America, competing against the Spanish claims derived from Columbus’s voyages. Some historians would argue that the story was conveniently embellished to support English colonial ambitions. Yet legend has persisted, encouraged by sporadic claims of Welsh influence among certain Native American tribes, such as Welsh-like words in their languages or cryptic stone inscriptions. There was a claim of six suits of armour emblazoned with Welsh insignia being found and of Native Americans with blue eyes. Dwellings constructed around that time seem in keeping with Welsh castles, and Native Americans were also using boats similar to Welsh coracles in the area where Madoc is thought to have been.
Cultural Impact
When I was a child, many legends were discounted as good stories, yet subsequently, archaeologists have proved that there was more truth to them than was supposed. I would like to think that this is the case for Madog. The story is celebrated in poems, songs, and stories that highlight the adventurous spirit and tenacity of the Welsh people. In the USA, particularly in the regions around the Gulf of Mexico, local lore and l monuments pay homage to this Welsh explorer, celebrating his story as part of the complex tapestry of American history.
If you would like to immerse yourself in the time of Wales in the Middle Ages, you might enjoy ‘The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter’ and ‘The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance’.