New History Podcast Revisits the Medieval Dancing Plague That Killed Hundreds

Strange Epochs explores one of history's most baffling mass events with a narrative-driven deep dive.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:25pm

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A stark, graphic black and white illustration depicting a group of stylized, jagged human figures dancing in a frenzied, chaotic motion, conveying the sense of unease and the unexplained surrounding the Dancing Plague of 1518.The Dancing Plague of 1518 remains one of history's most baffling mass events, with hundreds of people caught up in an unexplained frenzy of uncontrollable dancing.Salt Lake City Today

Strange Epochs, a new weekly narrative history podcast hosted by Shawn Spainhour, launches its debut episode with the story of the 1518 Dancing Plague in Strasbourg, where hundreds of people danced uncontrollably for days — and some danced themselves to death. The show is now streaming on all major podcast platforms.

Why it matters

The Dancing Plague of 1518 remains one of history's most perplexing and unexplained mass events, with no consensus on the underlying cause. Strange Epochs aims to immerse listeners in the strange details and human experiences of this baffling historical moment, rather than just presenting a dry recitation of facts.

The details

In the summer of 1518, a woman named Frau Troffea began dancing uncontrollably in a Strasbourg street. Within a week, dozens had joined her, and within a month, hundreds were caught up in the bizarre outbreak. Physicians were baffled, and city officials tried to manage the situation by renting a hall and hiring musicians, believing the only cure was to let the dancing run its course. People collapsed from exhaustion, suffered strokes, and some even died.

  • In the summer of 1518, Frau Troffea began the unexplained dancing outbreak in Strasbourg.
  • Within a week, dozens had joined Frau Troffea in the strange dancing.
  • Within a month, hundreds of people were caught up in the Dancing Plague.

The players

Frau Troffea

A woman in Strasbourg who, in the summer of 1518, began dancing uncontrollably, sparking the mysterious Dancing Plague outbreak.

Shawn Spainhour

The host of the new narrative history podcast Strange Epochs, which explores the Dancing Plague of 1518 in its debut episode.

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What they’re saying

“History isn't just a sequence of dates — it's full of moments that still don't have answers. Strange Epochs exists to sit inside those moments and actually feel the weight of them. I want listeners to forget they're being educated.”

— Shawn Spainhour, Host of Strange Epochs

What’s next

The debut episode of Strange Epochs on the Dancing Plague of 1518 is now available, with new episodes releasing every Tuesday at 5 AM EST. Future episodes will explore other historical mysteries and overlooked events.

The takeaway

The Dancing Plague of 1518 remains one of history's most baffling and unexplained mass events, and Strange Epochs aims to immerse listeners in the strange details and human experiences of this perplexing moment, rather than just presenting a dry recitation of facts.