How Bread Drove Medieval Europe to Madness and Death

In medieval Europe, a simple loaf of bread could spell disaster. Unbeknownst to many, bread made from rye was often infected with a deadly fungus called ergot (Claviceps purpurea). Consuming it caused terrifying symptoms like convulsions, hallucinations, and gangrene—an affliction known as "St. Anthony's Fire." Discover how this fungus led to widespread suffering and even death, driving people to madness and religious hysteria