Scott, This will be a lot easier to read if you are set for 'color and graphics', by whatever name (likely html). Your sentence, 'Politically, Artois <had only been> was only [under] French control for less than a century and a half and that period <had ended> ended 330 years previously', may demonstrate a phenomenon I have discovered in my inquiries. Writers seem inclined (hedge words because there is no way to verify intent) to make a first 'had' error and then follow it with a second. That is to say, if they make the first one, they seem inclined to make the second one. Consider these examples from 'real life'. The Secret Service earlier this week <had said> said the president was not in danger because the couple <had gone> went through magnetometers. (Larry Margasak, AP) I <had been> was ravenous and snuck two grilled cheese sandwiches in the middle of the night, well after Elaine <had fallen> fell asleep. (Lauren Grodstein novel) While I do not think that my sister <had ever considered> ever considered keeping the child, I do not think she <had given> gave thought to how she would feel giving it up. (Brandon Royal) Gorbachev <had made> made it clear that the USSR would not step in to save their asses, as it <had done> did in Prague in 1968. (Laura Miller, Salon) .brad.22jan10. To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/