The BRUTAL Plague that Made You Dance Until You Died episode artwork

EPISODE · May 30, 2025 · 2H 1M

The BRUTAL Plague that Made You Dance Until You Died

from History For Sleep with the Drowsy Historian · host Drowsy Historian

Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorianIn the summer of 1518, dozens of people in Strasbourg suddenly began to dance—and couldn’t stop. No music, no joy, just uncontrollable, exhausting motion that led to bruised feet, broken bodies, and even death. Was it mass hysteria? Poisoned bread? Divine punishment? Or something far stranger?This is your story now. You're there. You're sweating, twitching, collapsing in the square while monks chant, doctors bleed you, and no one really knows what’s happening. This slow, immersive bedtime story explores the terrifying true history of the Dancing Plague—through the eyes of someone living it.Perfect for sleep, study, or simply losing yourself in a weird and miserable slice of medieval life.🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep ToolsLooking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:• Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy• Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f• Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn• Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTwThese are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.

Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorianIn the summer of 1518, dozens of people in Strasbourg suddenly began to dance—and couldn’t stop. No music, no joy, just uncontrollable, exhausting motion that led to bruised feet, broken bodies, and even death. Was it mass hysteria? Poisoned bread? Divine punishment? Or something far stranger?This is your story now. You're there. You're sweating, twitching, collapsing in the square while monks chant, doctors bleed you, and no one really knows what’s happening. This slow, immersive bedtime story explores the terrifying true history of the Dancing Plague—through the eyes of someone living it.Perfect for sleep, study, or simply losing yourself in a weird and miserable slice of medieval life.🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep ToolsLooking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:• Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy• Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f• Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn• Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTwThese are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.

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The BRUTAL Plague that Made You Dance Until You Died

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This episode is 2 hours and 1 minute long.

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This episode was published on May 30, 2025.

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Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorianIn the summer of 1518, dozens of people in Strasbourg suddenly began to dance—and couldn’t stop. No music, no joy, just uncontrollable, exhausting motion that led to...

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