It is difficult to say whether or no _tenser_ is a confusion of _censer_. Etymologically the words seem akin, _cense_ being a tax or toll (cess), and _tensare_ meaning to lay under toll or tribute. In the Iter of 1164 enquiry is directed to be made "de prisis et tenseriis omnium ballivorum domini regis ... et quare prisae illae captae fuerint, et per quem" etc. Another derivation of _tenser_ has been given. Owen and Blakeway (Vol. ii. p. 525) explain it to be a corruption of "tenancier," and apparently intend to imply that these non-gildated traders were considered as holding directly of the king. This view receives some confirmation from Cowell's definition of the "censure" and "censers" of Cornwall. He says (_A Law Dictionary: or the Interpreter_ etc., ed. 1727) "Censure, or _Custuma vocata_ censure, (from the Latin _Census_, which Hesychius expounds to be a kind of personal money, paid for every Poll) is, in divers Manors in _Cornwall_ and _Devon_, the calling of all Resiants therein above the age of sixteen, to swear Fealty to the Lord, to pay _ij{d} per Poll, and j{d} per an._ ever after; as _cert-money_ or _Common Fine_; and these thus sworn, are called _Censers_." "Chensers," he says again, "are such as pay Tribute or _cense_, Chief-rent or Quit-rent, for so the French _censier_ signifies." Whether or no we receive Owen and Blakeway's derivation of the word from _tenancier_, even with the support of Cowell's "censers" of Cornwall, we may press the latter authority into service in showing that the signification of _censer_ and _tenser_, however different the two words might be in origin, became very similar in actual use.