 The long hair tradition was widespread among English and French men in the 11th and 12th centuries , though it was considered , mostly because of endorsement of the Roman Catholic Church , acceptable for men also to have shorter hair . The tradition was largely brought about by monarchs who rejected the shorter hairstyle , causing the people to follow . Wulfstan , a religious leader , worried that those with longer hair would fight like women , and be unable to protect England from foreign invasion . This idea can be found in later military leaders as well , such as those of the American Confederacy . Knights and rulers would also sometimes cut or pull out their hair in order to show penitence and mourning , and a squire 's hair was generally shorter than a knight 's . Married women who let their hair flow out in public were frowned upon , as this was normally reserved for the unwed , although they were allowed to let it out in mourning , to show their distressed state . Through these centuries it was expected of Eastern Christians to wear long hair as well as long beards , which was especially expected from clergy and monks . 
