 Many of these were printed in Belgium, and Turnhout.In Alsace, such blessings have origins in the "Pestbriefe" (pestilence letters) of the Middle Ages, sold at fairs to those wishing to protect themselves from disease, and the "Feuerbriefe" (fire letters) brought back by pilgrims from Cologne and containing intercessory prayers to the Three Kings (usually with the letters "CMB", for Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, incorporated somewhere into the design) for God protecting their homes from fire and disaster.Other blessings, found in Alsace and brought to Pennsylvania, include blessings of the entranceway to a house, stable blessings invoking Saint Leonard or Saint Blasius, blessings against "Feuer und Brand" addressed to Saint Agatha, and even blessings for house pets addressed to Saint Florentius.