Rhos-on-Sea, a charming little town on the North Wales coast, is more than just a pretty seaside spot. It’s home to one of Wales’ most intriguing legends—the story of Prince Madoc, a man who, according to lore, sailed to America over 300 years before Christopher Columbus. Madoc’s story is one of adventure, mystery, and a bit of historical controversy, with Rhos-on-Sea playing a key role as the starting point of his epic journey.
Who Was Prince Madoc?
Madoc (also spelled Madog) was one of the many sons of Owain Gwynedd, the powerful ruler of North Wales in the 12th century. Owain had 19 children, but only six were legitimate, and Madoc, being born out of wedlock, was one of the so-called “bastard” sons. But despite his complicated family status, Madoc wasn’t interested in family feuds or political power struggles.
When Owain Gwynedd died in 1169, things got messy. His sons turned on each other in a brutal fight for control of the kingdom. Madoc, however, was cut from a different cloth—he wasn’t interested in the violence and bloodshed. Instead, he sought adventure and peace, which is where the legend begins.
The Legendary Voyage from Rhos-on-Sea
Fed up with the chaos at home, Madoc and his brother Riryd decided to leave Wales behind. The two brothers supposedly set sail from a quay in Aber-Kerrik-Gwynan, which is the old name for Rhos-on-Sea, in 1170. Their ships, the *Gorn Gwynant* and *Pedr Sant*, sailed westward, far beyond Ireland. And where did they land? According to legend, in what is now Mobile Bay, Alabama, on the southern coast of the United States.
Yes, you read that right—Madoc, a Welsh prince, supposedly reached America hundreds of years before Columbus, and he didn’t stop there. He and his crew liked what they found so much that they decided to stay. One ship returned to Wales to gather more settlers, and soon a fleet of ten ships set sail for the New World, packed with adventurers keen to start new lives across the Atlantic.
Welsh Settlers in America?
This is where the story takes an even more fascinating turn. According to the legend, Madoc and his crew sailed up the Mississippi River, eventually settling in the areas we now know as Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. They built stone forts and lived peacefully for a while, but eventually clashed with the local Cherokee tribe. Forced to move again, they traveled up the Missouri River and, as the tale goes, integrated with the Mandan tribe, a Native American group living in the area.
What’s particularly interesting is that centuries later, European explorers reported seeing “fair-skinned” Native Americans who spoke a language that sounded an awful lot like Welsh. These stories of pale-skinned, light-haired natives who lived in round huts (similar to the Welsh roundhouses) fueled speculation that Madoc’s settlers had indeed merged with the Mandan tribe, leaving behind a unique cultural footprint.
Rhos-on-Sea’s Connection to the Legend
The connection between Madoc and Rhos-on-Sea runs deep. The very quay from which Madoc is said to have set sail still exists—though it’s now part of a private garden. To commemorate the legendary voyage, a stone marker has been placed in Rhos-on-Sea, proudly linking the town to one of the most enduring tales in Welsh folklore.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the story of Madoc’s journey has captured imaginations for centuries. The idea of a Welsh prince peacefully discovering America well before Columbus is a tantalizing one, and it’s a legend that has persisted in both Welsh and American folklore. In fact, in the 16th century, writers like Dr. John Dee and Richard Hakluyt brought the tale to the attention of Queen Elizabeth I, using it as part of Britain’s claim to territories in the New World.
The Ongoing Debate
So, did Prince Madoc really discover America? Historians and archaeologists are still divided on the matter. There’s no definitive proof that Madoc and his settlers made it across the Atlantic, let alone that they integrated with the Mandan tribe. However, there are curious bits of evidence that keep the legend alive. European explorers, such as the French fur trader Jacques d’Eglise in the late 18th century, reported encountering a tribe on the Missouri River with light skin, fair hair, and a culture that seemed oddly European.
There’s also the story of George Catlin, an artist and historian who spent time with the Mandans in the 1830s. Catlin was struck by how some members of the tribe had distinctly light-colored hair and European features, and he even noted that their boats bore a striking resemblance to Welsh coracles. Catlin, after his research, came to believe that there might be some truth to the Madoc story.
Of course, some dismiss the entire tale as just a romantic legend. After all, many cultures have their own version of early explorers reaching the Americas, from the Vikings to the Irish monks. And in Wales, much of the written evidence was lost when King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in the 16th century, destroying many ancient records that could have supported the story.
The Legacy of Prince Madoc
Whether or not Madoc’s journey to America is fact or fiction, the story has become an important part of Welsh cultural identity. It’s a tale of adventure, exploration, and the search for a peaceful new life—one that resonates with people to this day. And for Rhos-on-Sea, it’s a proud link to a legend that spans both sides of the Atlantic.
In the end, the story of Prince Madoc is a blend of history and myth, rooted in the rich tradition of Welsh storytelling. Rhos-on-Sea, with its quiet coastal beauty, serves as a fitting backdrop to this captivating tale, reminding us that sometimes, the most interesting stories are the ones that leave us wondering: *What if it’s true?*
So, next time you’re strolling along the shore in Rhos-on-Sea, take a moment to think about the Welsh prince who might have set sail from those very waters, heading into the unknown, and possibly leaving his mark on American history. Whether Madoc really discovered America or not, his story continues to spark the imagination, making Rhos-on-Sea a town with a truly legendary past.
