The philosophy of beards : a lecture : physiological, artistic & historical / by T.S. Gowing.
64/92
51 (canvas 65)
The image contains the following text:
the fashion at the French Court, Sir Thomas Bulleyn was
obliged to excuse Henry's bad faith, by alleging that the
Queen of England felt an insuperable antipathy to a bushy
chin, which, from the known considerate conduct of Henry
to his wives, must have'been a very plausible plea ! Sir T.
Moore shaved previous to his imprisonment. His Beard
being then allowed to grow, he conceived such an affection
for it, that before he laid his head on the block he carefully
put it on one side, remarking " that it at least was guiltless
of treason, and ought not to be punished."
Although Francis I, and his Court, cherished their
Beards, the Chancellor Duprat advised the imposition of
a tax on the Beards of the clergy, and promised the king
a handsome revenue. The bishops and wealthier clergy
paid the tax and saved their Beards; but the poorer
ministers were not so fortunate. In the succeeding reign,
the clergy determined on revenge ; so when Duprat (son
of the Chancellor) was returning in triumph from the
council of Trent, to take possession of the bishopric of
Claremont, the dean and canons closed the brass gates of
the chancel, through which they were seen armed with
shears and razor, soap and basin, and pointing to the
statutes, " de radendis barbis." Notwithstanding his re-
monstrances, they refused to induct him unless he sacri-
ficed his Beard, which was the handsomest of his time.
He is said to have retired to his castle, and died of
vexation. E 2