There is a large book of pedigrees still extant, written by Jeuan Brecva, who flourished in the age preceding the time of Columbus, where the above event is thus noticed in treating of the genealogy of Owain Gwynedd: "Madoc and Riryd found land far in the sea of the west, and there they settled." The Bards were the historians of those times. By a perusal of the compositions of those who were contemporary with Madoc, it is found that his name is mentioned three or four times by Cynddelw, Llywarch, and Gwalchmai. These are held to be among the most celebrated of the Welsh Bards. Their works, which are mostly extant in manuscript, would each of them make a respectable volume. Llywarch, who was the son of Llewelyn, wrote a poem while undergoing the ordeal of the hot iron to prove his innocence respecting Madoc's death. He invoked the aid of the Saviour "lest he should injure his hand with the shining sword and his kinsmen should have to pay the _galanas_." It is addressed "TO THE HOT IRON. "Good Iron! free me from the charge Of slaying. Show that he Who smote the prince with murderous hand Heaven's kingdoms nine shall never see, Whilst I the dwelling-place of God Shall share, safe from all enmity." The same poet, in a panegyric, addressed to Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd, of Hywell and Madoc, his brothers, says,-- "Two princes were there, who in wrath dealt woe, Yet by the people of the earth were loved: One who in Arvon quench'd ambition's flame, Leading on land his bravely toiling men; And one of temper mild, in trouble great, Far o'er the bosom of the mighty sea Sought a possession he could safely keep, From all estrangéd for a country's sake." In a poem addressed to Prince Llywelyn ab Iorweth by the same bard, there appear the following lines: "Needless it is to ask all anxiously, Who from invaders will our waters guard? Llywelyn, he will guard the boundary wave; The lion i' the breach, ruler of Gwynedd. The land is his to Powys' distant bounds, He met the Saxons by Llanwynwy lake, Across the wave is he victorious, Nephew of Madoc, whom we more and more Lament that he is gone." Gwalchmai addressed an ode to Davydd ab Owain Gwynedd, lamenting his being deprived of that prince's brothers: "Silent I cannot be without mentioning who they were, Who so well of me merited praise: Owain the fierce, above the muse's song, The manly hero of the conflict; Cadwallon, ere he was lost, It was not with smooth words he praised me; Cadwaladyr, lover of the harmony of exhilarating songs, He was wont to honor me; Madoc, distributing his goods, More he did to please than displease me." In an elegy on the family of Owain Gwynedd, by Cynddelw, Madoc is twice mentioned, one passage particularly seeming worthy of attention: