9. The Locusts of Lausanne (1478)
In 1478, the courts of Lausanne, Switzerland, faced a plague of locusts devastating local crops. The insects were formally tried and ultimately excommunicated—a religious penalty imposed in hopes of ending the infestation. This trial demonstrates how medieval societies turned to spiritual sanctions for earthly troubles, particularly in cases involving swarms and pests. Similar insect trials occurred elsewhere in Europe, blending faith with judicial process. Read more
