1-152-467 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Peter I, the Great (1672-1725), Tsar of Russia, cutting a Boyar's (nobleman) beard. Peter became Tsar in 1682. He embarked on a campaign to modernise and Europeanise Russia, socially, economically and militarily. One of his measures was to westernise the physical appearance of his subjects by imposing a tax on beards, with exemptions only for the clergy and peasants. This was seen as an affront to the Orthodox Christian beliefs of the Russian people, who regarded the wearing of a beard as symbolising their devoutness.