Posted on 01/06/2011 9:51:05 PM PST by Palter
Who discovered America? It's a simple question and one that usually brings the standard response - Christopher Columbus. But here in Wales we have our own theory. And that theory says that America was actually discovered 300 years before Columbus sailed "the ocean blue" in 1492 - and more importantly, that it was discovered by a Welshman.
Mandan Indians used Bull Boats for transport and fishing that are identical to the Welsh coracle.
The man in question was Prince Madoc, the son of Owain Gwynedd, one of the greatest and most important rulers in the country, and while the legend cannot be corroborated there are many who believe it implicitly. Owain Gwynedd certainly existed, his reign being marred by long and hard-fought disputes with Henry II, king of England.
The story goes that in 1170 Owain died and, almost immediately, a violent and very bloody dispute arose between his 13 children regarding the succession. Madoc and his brother Rhirid were so upset and angered by events that they decided they wanted no further part in what was happening. Indeed, they wanted nothing more to do with their family or their homeland. They duly took ship from Rhos on Sea (Llandrillo) and sailed westwards to see what they could find.
What Prince Madoc found, so the legend runs, was America. He and his brother managed to cross the Atlantic and land on the shores of the New World. Madoc returned to Gwynedd for more men, then sailed off again, this time never to return. His sailors inter-married with a local Native American tribe and for years the rumour of Welsh speaking Native American tribes was widely believed.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Old, but I can’t refuse a Madoc thread post.
Actually, most kids learn that it was Leif Garrett, child Tiger Beat heartthrob and now actor on those “World’s Dumbest” shows, who discovered America.
I am pretty sure no one thinks Chris Colon did it...
Thanks. If there was an “ice age” there would have been larger land masses and traveling between the continents might not have been as difficult as we think.
“His sailors inter-married with a local Native American tribe..”
This is why most American Indians can sing like Tom Jones and Englebert or that wee Sheena Easton.
Barry Fell/America B.C. ping
Red Pandas now found in China, Burma, Nepal and Tennessee.
Mandan Bull Boats and Lodges
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think if you sail westward from Wales, you end up in Ireland...
Sure, if your sober.
Not if the Welshman has a brain in his head...and wants to keep it there.
Paddle faster, Daffyd; paddle as if yer life depends upon it, because mine sure does!
Lol... but did you know that Sheena Easton is a Scot, and Englebert Humperdink is an "Anglo-Indian", but of EAST Indian descent ?
And the Indians greeted the Prince with the famous line, “Aaah, what’s up, Madoc?”
Oof! You’ve just earned one scalping! LOL!
Just goes to show that finding is not as important as keeping.
Do the melungeons ever claim heritage from the Welsh?
heh heh! Tom Jones! It’s not impossible to .... :-P
well, yes, Englebert Humperdinck is half-Indian, half-English (I hate the term “Indian” for native Americans!), just like Cliff Richards
you are so correct! I wonder how Looney Tunes managed to capture that rare moment? :-P
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