In July 1518, Strasbourg witnessed a bizarre phenomenon: Frau Troffea danced relentlessly, drawing others into her inexplicable dance. Over 30 joined, unable to stop, driven by an unseen force. Physicians thought it was “hot blood” and prescribed dancing to cure it, which led to exhaustion and deaths.

City authorities erected stages, hired musicians and dancers, hoping more dancing would help. Instead, the contagion grew. By August, about 400 people danced uncontrollably, some with bloodied feet and twitching limbs. The city was in turmoil.

This dance plague wasn’t unique. Similar events happened in medieval and early modern Europe between the 10th and 16th centuries.

In summary, Strasbourg’s 1518 dance plague saw Frau Troffea’s relentless dance lead to a growing epidemic, with attempts to cure it through more dancing worsening the situation. This bizarre phenomenon was not isolated, echoing in different parts of Europe across centuries.