Prince Madoc
By Madison Echlin
Prince Madoc, otherwise known as Prince Madog ab Owain Gwynedd, was a pseudo-archaeological Welsh Prince who supposedly emigrated with his followers to North America in 1170. His father, Owain, was the King of Gwynedd in the 12th century. King Owain had 19 children, 13 of which were illegitimate including Madoc himself. After the death of Owain of Gwynedd, his sons debated who would inherit the throne. It is said that Prince Madoc left Gwynedd in a heated disagreement with his brothers and instead sought adventure by sea. [1].
Motivations
The motivations for the creation of Prince Madoc and his voyage to the Americas
He supposedly founded America in 1170 and seemed to have ended up in what is now Alabama.
The Mandan
The Mandans are a tribe of Native American Siouan speakers associated with the Great Plains and have lived for centuries in what is now North Dakota. They historically lived along the Missouri River valley in large settled villages and mostly practiced full time agriculture. However, 18th century reports of occasional physical characteristics among the tribe like their light colored blue or gray eyes and their light colored hair spurred rumors about pre-Colombian European contact. Some believed that the Mandan were "Welsh Indians" or descendants of Prince Madoc and his Welsh followers. It was proposed that interbreeding with the Norse emigrants would explain the blonde Indians. However, there is no real archaeological or scientific evidence to prove anything of the sort.