Our Fake History Episode #239 - Did a Welsh Prince Beat Columbus to the New World?
Nov 18, 2025
Dive into the intriguing tale of Prince Madoc, a Welsh figure rumored to have sailed to North America in 1170. The journey raises questions about early Welsh colonization and potential interactions with indigenous peoples. Explore how legends were shaped by 16th-century politics and even odd claims about 'penguins' in the Americas. Discover the ebb and flow of belief surrounding Madoc, from historical forgeries to nationalistic myths. Was there truth behind these stories, or just the fabrications of history?
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Empire-Building Reuse Of Madoc
- 16th-century English used Madoc's story to challenge Spanish claims to the Americas.
- The 'penguin' anecdote was reinterpreted as Welsh 'pen gwyn' to claim Welsh precedence.
16th-Century Revival Anchored The Legend
- Humphrey Lloyd's 1558 account framed Madoc as beating Columbus and Vespucci.
- Lloyd's version served Elizabethan aims by implying English priority in the New World.
Medieval Evidence For Madoc Is Thin
- Pre-1500 documentary evidence for Madoc is minimal and ambiguous.
- Bardic poems mention Madoc but don't reliably support a transatlantic voyage claim.
