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)