
audiobook
AN ENQUIRY INTO THE TRUTH OF THE TRADITION, CONCERNING THE Discovery of America, by Prince MADOG ab Owen Gwynedd, ABOUT THE YEAR, 1170.
PREFACE
AN ENQUIRY, &c.
APPENDIX.
A modest yet thought‑provoking essay opens by admitting the uncertainty surrounding an old Welsh tradition that a 12th‑century prince may have set foot on the western shores of a continent unknown to Europe. Drawing on medieval bardic references, linguistic parallels between Welsh and certain Native American words, and the curious appearance of a Welsh‑language Bible among indigenous peoples, the author builds a case for a pre‑Columbian Welsh presence. The narrative weaves together scholarly observations, letters from 18th‑century travelers, and the accounts of early explorers who reported encounters with “Welsh‑speaking” tribes.
The work remains careful, presenting evidence without claiming definitive proof, and invites readers to reconsider the accepted timeline of discovery. It highlights how small clues—fair‑complexioned groups, shared vocabulary, and mysterious artifacts—can spark fresh debate about history’s hidden chapters. Listeners will be drawn into a scholarly detective story that balances measured skepticism with genuine curiosity about a possible early trans‑Atlantic voyage.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (115K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-11-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1727–1798
A Welsh dissenting minister and scholar, he wrote on theology, church life, and the long-debated story of Prince Madog’s voyage to America. His work reflects the curiosity and learning of late 18th-century religious and literary culture.
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