The Dancing Plague of 1518: When Strasbourg Couldn't Stop | Sleep History Documentary

In July 1518, a woman began dancing in the streets of Strasbourg—and couldn't stop. Within weeks, hundreds joined her in a compulsive dance that lasted for days, some dancing until they collapsed and died.
This 90-minute documentary explores one of history's most mysterious episodes: the Dancing Plague of 1518. Journey to medieval Strasbourg, a city traumatized by famine and plague, where the gap between rich and poor had grown into a chasm. We follow the outbreak from its beginning with Frau Troffea, the first dancer, through the desperate attempts of city authorities to understand and stop the contagion, to the religious pilgrimage that finally brought the plague to an end.
Discover the world that created this strange phenomenon—a society living under crushing stress, where belief in divine punishment and demonic possession shaped how people understood their own bodies. Explore the leading theories, from ergot poisoning in contaminated grain to mass psychogenic illness born of collective trauma. Walk the cobblestone streets where hundreds danced day and night, their feet bleeding, their bodies pushed beyond all limits.
This documentary examines not just medieval superstition, but timeless truths about how communities express unbearable suffering, how psychological distress can manifest physically, and how mass hysteria spreads through stressed populations. Through immersive storytelling with calm narration, we bring to life the experiences of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, the physicians who tried to help with medieval medical knowledge, and the city that struggled to respond to the impossible.
Perfect for falling asleep or deep relaxation while learning about this fascinating historical mystery that continues to puzzle scholars today.

🎧 ABOUT DROWSY HISTORIAN
Welcome to long-form historical documentaries designed for sleep, relaxation, and deep focus. Each video combines thorough historical research with calm, soothing narration—perfect for falling asleep or unwinding after a long day.

CHAPTERS:
Introduction: The First Dancer
Strasbourg in 1518: A City Under Stress
The Plague Spreads: Hundreds Begin Dancing
Medical Theories and City Response
The Pilgrimage to Saint Vitus
Understanding Mass Hysteria
Legacy and Lessons
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for new historical documentaries designed for sleep and relaxation

💤 BEST EXPERIENCE:
Use headphones or quality speakers
Adjust volume to comfortable level
Allow yourself to drift in and out of focus
Replay as needed for full night's sleep

📖 SOURCES & HISTORICAL ACCURACY:
This documentary is based on academic historical sources, contemporary chronicles, and modern medical research on mass psychogenic illness. While some narrative details are imaginatively reconstructed for immersion, all major events, dates, and historical facts are verified from scholarly sources.

#DancingPlague #MedievalHistory #SleepDocumentary #HistoricalMystery #Strasbourg #MassHysteria #HistoryForSleep #LongFormHistory #RelaxingHistory #DrowsyHistorian