The beard tax, also known as the beard token or the Pogonotax, was a tax levied on men who sported facial hair. The tax was primarily imposed in Europe during the Middle Ages and was intended to raise revenue for the state. The history of the beard tax is an interesting and important part of European history and one that sheds light on the social, economic, and political context of the time.
The origins of the beard tax can be traced back to the reign of Peter the Great in the early 18th century. Peter was a reformer who wanted to modernise his country and bring it in line with the rest of Europe. He was particularly interested in the style of dress and grooming, which he believed was a sign of progress and civilisation. To this end, he issued a decree in 1698 that imposed a tax on men who chose to keep their beards.
The beard tax was intended to encourage men to shave and adopt the more fashionable Western style of being clean-shaven. The tax was levied based on social status, with higher taxes for nobles, 100 rubies per year. This was approximately 1.5kg of pure silver which would be approximately £958 today. Commoners only had to pay two half-kopeks every time they entered a city. This was approximately 15g of silver which would be around £9.60 in today's money. The tax was also a way to raise revenue for Peter the Great's ambitious projects, such as the construction of the new capital, St. Petersburg.
The idea of a beard tax quickly spread to other European countries, particularly France and England. In France, King Louis XIV imposed a beard tax in 1699 to raise money for his wars. The tax was based on the length of the beard, with longer beards attracting higher taxes. In England, a beard tax was briefly imposed during the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century, but it was repealed after only a few years.
The beard tax was not universally popular, and it was often met with resistance and ridicule. Many men saw it as an infringement of their freedom and a way for the state to control their bodies. In some cases, men went to great lengths to avoid paying the tax, such as shaving their beards in secret or wearing fake beards made of goat hair.
Despite its unpopularity, the beard tax remained in force in some countries well into the 18th century. The tax was abolished on this day 6th April 1772, by Catherine the Great. In France, the tax was abolished in 1789, at the beginning of the French Revolution. In England, the tax was repealed in 1698, after only a few years in force.
The history of the beard tax is a fascinating and often overlooked part of European history. It sheds light on the social, economic, and political context of the time, and provides insight into the ways in which the state attempted to control and regulate the bodies of its citizens. While the beard tax is no longer in force today, its legacy lives on in the form of debates about personal freedom, individual expression, and the role of the state in our lives.
Would you have to pay the beard tax if it was introduced in your country today? Let me know in the comments what you would do. Would you pay the tax or shave off your beard?
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