In July, 1518, a woman named Frau Troffea suddenly began to dance in the middle of a street in Strasbourg, France. Within a week, 34 people joined Troffea, and within a month, some 400 were caught in this dancing plague.
By the time this event was over, many would be dead from exhaustion...
By the time this event was over, many would be dead from exhaustion...
A Very Strange Illness
Afflicted with dance! It started off with one woman named Frau Troffea who in July, 1518, broke out into dance. People in that street of Strasbourg, France, would no doubt have looked on in bemusement and maybe a little wonder.
However soon there was another person breaking out in dance, then another and another. Within the week 35 people were all dancing non stop and things were to get worse.
By the end of August, some six weeks after Troffea had started dancing, there were more than 400 people dancing. They danced day after day, hopping and leaping without rest until they finally fell to the ground unconscious with many dying from exhaustion, heart attack or stroke.
Those afflicted seemed to have entered into a possessed or trance like state. The fact many were said to have danced for up to six days straight seems an impossibility, exerting that much energy without rest should have killed them before they reached day three, not to mention not eating or drinking for the duration.
However soon there was another person breaking out in dance, then another and another. Within the week 35 people were all dancing non stop and things were to get worse.
By the end of August, some six weeks after Troffea had started dancing, there were more than 400 people dancing. They danced day after day, hopping and leaping without rest until they finally fell to the ground unconscious with many dying from exhaustion, heart attack or stroke.
Those afflicted seemed to have entered into a possessed or trance like state. The fact many were said to have danced for up to six days straight seems an impossibility, exerting that much energy without rest should have killed them before they reached day three, not to mention not eating or drinking for the duration.
Seeking a Cure
More dance was thought to be the cure, musicians were brought in. It was a complete mystery at the time – the only thing those who witnessed it knew was that the people danced, they did not stop and that it seemed to be contagious. Authorities convened on the matter and many theories were discussed, not just on what was causing the 'plague' (cursed by a saint, possession by a host of demons or even the afflicted having 'hot blood') but also how to treat it.
To many physicians at the time the treatment was simple.... More Dance!
It was thought that the dancers would 'dance themselves out of it' and as such they should be further encouraged. Two large halls were opened up and stages were constructed. Those who were afflicted by the plague were sent to these locations and along with paid musicians to provide some lively music a somewhat strange dance party was created. By dancing day and night surely they would get it out of their system?
(of course not taking into account many people had already died by this time).
To many physicians at the time the treatment was simple.... More Dance!
It was thought that the dancers would 'dance themselves out of it' and as such they should be further encouraged. Two large halls were opened up and stages were constructed. Those who were afflicted by the plague were sent to these locations and along with paid musicians to provide some lively music a somewhat strange dance party was created. By dancing day and night surely they would get it out of their system?
(of course not taking into account many people had already died by this time).
Areas near holy places were set aside for the afflicted to dance. It was not long before the people of Strasbourg realised that the music and the encouragement to dance was making things worse. At one point up to fifteen people a day were dying from exhaustion (final total death tally is not known) so the council took the cure in the complete opposite direction – they put a ban on music and fined anyone caught playing it or holding a dance.
There was of course exceptions to this rule. Weddings or religious ceremonies were allowed the use of stringed instruments but the ban on all percussion instruments would still have to be upheld.
Still this did not work. It was decided that it must be a curse placed on Strasbourg and one way to make the saints happy again was to clean up the town. Undesirable people were banished and those still stuck dancing were taken to a shrine of St Vitus, were given specially anointed red shoes and were cured.
There was of course exceptions to this rule. Weddings or religious ceremonies were allowed the use of stringed instruments but the ban on all percussion instruments would still have to be upheld.
Still this did not work. It was decided that it must be a curse placed on Strasbourg and one way to make the saints happy again was to clean up the town. Undesirable people were banished and those still stuck dancing were taken to a shrine of St Vitus, were given specially anointed red shoes and were cured.
Definitely Not An Isolated Event
Many breakouts of dance have been recorded over time. Those few months would have been an interesting time in the town, with the 1500's being quite a major time of change for religion and the authority of religious figures, many believe the dancing was born out of superstition, guilt, stress and mass hysteria.
What is most interesting is that the Dance Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg was by no means an isolated event. Between the 14th and 17th centuries there were many outbreaks of Dance Plague (choreomania) affecting tens of thousands of people throughout mainland Europe and still there were further outbreaks outside of this time frame.
Strange events indeed and even today no one has come up with a explanation on what caused the dance plague. Not one disease or known illness can explain all the symptoms. Perhaps it is outside the realms of science to explain?
What is most interesting is that the Dance Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg was by no means an isolated event. Between the 14th and 17th centuries there were many outbreaks of Dance Plague (choreomania) affecting tens of thousands of people throughout mainland Europe and still there were further outbreaks outside of this time frame.
Strange events indeed and even today no one has come up with a explanation on what caused the dance plague. Not one disease or known illness can explain all the symptoms. Perhaps it is outside the realms of science to explain?
Ashley Hall 2013
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