While beards to day are freely grown my men willing to take the challenge, this was not always the case. I wanted to share with you a little history of the cost of growing a beard.
In Russia
In 1705, Emperor Peter I of Russia instituted a beard tax. Those who paid the tax were required to carry a "beard token". This was a copper or silver token with a Russian Eagle on one side and on the other, the lower part of a face with nose, mouth, whiskers, and beard. It was inscribed with two phrases: "the beard tax has been taken" and "the beard is a superfluous burden"
In 1535, King Henry VIII of England, who wore a beard himself, introduced a tax on beards. The tax was a graduated tax, varying with the wearer's social position. His daughter, Elizabeth I of England, reintroduced the beard tax, taxing every beard of more than two-weeks growth.
I just stubbled upon this great information and thought I would share... enjoy!:)
