Prior to the Crimean War in the 1850, the British Army had outlawed facial hair. When the war started, however, the soldiers were forced to fight in colder temperatures than they were used to. Many of them chose not to shave, to stay warm. Others just simply couldn’t, due to wartime conditions.

Due to that, the war heroes returned to England with magnificent beards. Through the facial fur of veterans, the beard became a symbol of heroism and bravery. Thus, they became more widely adopted.