The Forgotten Plague- DANCE MANIA!!!

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Although you might assume that being made to wear a stupid costume, be mocked, and act like an idiot for the entertainment of fatuous rulers would be a job nobody would want- like the position of Groom of the Stool (a job which initially consisted of directly supplying the necess ...  Show more

When people think of Medieval diseases, hysterical dancing is not usually what first comes to mind. Yet in 14th and 15th century Germany, dozens of ordinary people claimed to be infected by the ‘dancing plague’. What was this mysterious phenomenon? What caused it? And was it even ...  Show more

If you've ever been to a great concert or a banging dance party, then you know sometimes the spirit can overwhelm you -- you might feel compelled to dance. For most people this is a delightful experience... however, this wasn't the case for several unfortunate communities in Medi ...  Show more

Uncover the bizarre 1518 outbreak in Strasbourg where hundreds danced uncontrollably for days. Was it a disease, mass hysteria, or something darker? Find the full transcript of this episode and learn more about it on https://englishpluspodcast.com/the-dancing-plague-of-1518-when- ...  Show more

In 1518 a strange sight could be seen all over the town of Strasbourg. Crowds of people dancing unceasingly, unable to control their movements, seemingly heedless of their blistered and bloodied feet. As the contagious dance grew, so did the body count as the frenzied dancers suc ...  Show more