Madoc

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

In Cecil’s recent column about the “Welsh” Indians (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060908.html) he says that Prince Madoc and his people, the Madogwys, “according to legend alighted in the New World at Mobile, Alabama, of all places . . . .”

While I have no problem with any of the facts and conclusions Cecil states in the article (what am I, stupid?), I did wonder (as a native of Mobile, Alabama) what he meant by that remark? If he’s saying that Mobile is unlikely because it’s (a) in the Gulf of Mexico, (b) about 20 miles or so inland on a bay, and (c) a mosquito-infested malaria factory, then he’s absolutely right (as usual). If he’s making yet another dig at Alabama (and even us Alabamians frequently say “Thank God for Mississippi!” because there’s at least one other state that is made fun of more than we are), then all I can say is I’m disappointed in you, Cecil - why pick on such as easy target?

:cool:

IBJammin’

2

It’s often hard to know exactly what Cecil means. My guess is that it’s a combination of (a) how would a ship from Europe skirt around Florida, miss all the islands, and wind up at Mobile? and (b) making fun of Mobile.

Roll Tide!

3

From what I understand, since I researched this as a possible Staff Report when I went to Wales two years ago (and then gave up on it), many people are baffled about the geographical choice or chance of routing around Florida. It’s one of the “big problems” in the Madoc theory that sort of gets waffled around by supporters.

4

Until I see at least an attempt at factoring in prevailing winds and currents, I’m not accepting any conclusions one way or t’other about Mobile.

Another fictional application of Prince Madoc, by the way, is the novel Excalibur, by Sanders Anne Laubenthal.