Iorweth Drwydion, was counted vnmeet to gouerne, because of the maime upon
his face: and Howell that tooke vpon him all the rule was a base sonne,
begotten upon an Irish woman. Therefore Dauid gathered all the power he
could, and came against Howel, and fighting with him, slew him; and
afterwards inioyed quietly the whole land of Northwales, vntil his brother
Iorwerths sonne came to age. [Sidenote: Madoc the son of Owen Guyneth.]
Madoc another of Owen Guyneth his sonnes left the land in contention
betwixt his brethren, and prepared certaine ships, with men and munition,
and sought aduentures by Seas, sailing West, and leauing the coast of
Ireland so farre North, that he came vnto a land vnknowen, where he saw
many strange things.

[Sidenote: Humf. Llyod.] This land most needs be some part of that Countrey
of which the Spanyards affirme themselues to be the first finders since
Hannos time. Whereupon it is manifest that that countrey was by Britaines
discouered, long before Columbus led any Spanyards thither.

Of the voyage and returne of this Madoc there be many fables feined, as the
common people doe vse in distance of place and length of time rather to
augment then to diminish: but sure it is there he was. [Sidenote: The
second voyage of Madoc the sonne of Owen Guyneth.] And after he had
returned home, and declared the pleasant and fruitfull countreys that he
had seen without inhabitants, and vpon the contrary part, for what barren
and wild ground his brethren and nephews did murther one another, he
prepared a number of ships, and got with him such men and women as were
desirous to liue in quietness: and taking leaue of his friends, tooke his
journey thitherward againe. [Sidenote: Gomara. lib. 2. cap. 16.] Therefore
it is to be supposed that he and his people inhabited part of those
countreys: for it appeareth by Francis Lopez de Gomara, that in Acuzamil
and other places the people honored the crosse. Wherby it may be gathered