Valariesblog

  In the summer of 1518, a strange phenomenon swept through the streets of Strasbourg, France. It all began in July, when a woman, Frau Troffea stepped on to the street and started dancing in an erratic and uncontrollable manner, but the marvel was that she could not stop for days. Strangely up to 400 people joined her. Some danced and collapsed from exhaustion and some danced to death. Historical documents, including physician notes, cathedral sermons, local and regional chronicles and even notes from the Strasbourg city council clearly recorded that there was indeed a dance pandemic and it started from one woman dancing ( Frau Troffea) . It lasted for so long that it attracted the highest authorities, until the council gave up all authority to the physicians who simply recommended that the afflicted " Dance themselves free of it". There are claims that guild halls were refurbished to to accommodate the dancing and strong men were employed to watch the dancers. At the hei...