King Canute, in the eleventh century, had vessels with sixty rowing-benches. Early voyagers traversed seas and oceans with comparative safety. Though they had not the compass (which, by the way, is uncertain), they studied the elements of nature,--the winds, currents, sun, and stars. Modern sailors have the advantage of accurate instruments to reduce their observations. The ascensions and descensions of the sun by day, and the polar star by night, are sufficient guides to prevent sailing wide of points.
Between America and Europe are two great currents,--the southwesterly bearing towards the former continent, and the northeasterly towards the latter. The majestic Gulf Stream sweeps around from Newfoundland till it almost crosses the Atlantic near the British Island. That is why the steamship-lines adopt the course of sailing-vessels. By the aid of the simple forces of nature, early voyagers reached the American Continent.
Owain Gwynedd was esteemed one of the greatest princes Wales ever produced.
Upon the death of his father, which occurred in 1137 A.D., he took his share of the possessions, which were divided, according to the custom of the nation, among the sons, and he ruled North Wales, his seat of government being at Aberfraw, till 1169 A.D., when he died.
Gwalchmai, a Bard of his times, addressed to him the following spirited ode in celebration of an important victory he achieved over the English at the battle of Tal y Moelvre:
"The generous chief I sing of Rhodri's line, With princely gifts endow'd, whose hand Hath often curb'd the border land, Owain, great heir of Britain's throne,-- Whom fair Ambition marks her own, Who ne'er to yield to man was known, Nor heaps he stores at Avarice's shrine.
"Three mighty legions o'er the sea-flood came, Three fleets intent on sudden fray; One from Erin's verdant coast, One with Lochlin's arméd host, Long burdens of the billowy way; The third, from far, bore them of Norman's name, To fruitless labor doom'd, and barren fame.
"'Gainst Mona's gallant lord, where, lo! he stands, His warlike sons ranged at his side, Rushes the dark tumultuous tide, Th' insulting tempest of the hostile bands: Boldly he turns the furious storm, Before him wild Confusion flies, While Havoc rears her hideous form, And prostrate Rank expiring lies; Conflict upon conflict growing, Gore on gore in torrents flowing, Shrieks answering shrieks, and slaughter raving, And high o'er Modore's front a thousand banners waving.