For almost a hundred years after having its beginning in 1788, England exiled some 160,000 criminals to
Australia.

(A) For almost a hundred years after having its beginning in 1788,
(B) Beginning in 1788 for a period of a hundred years,
(C) Beginning a period of almost a hundred years, in 1788
(D) During a hundred years, a period beginning in 1788,
(E) Over a period of a hundred years beginning in 1788,

I was able to narrow down choices b/w D and E, but somehow thought D is correct. But the solution says that D is illogical. Can someone explain why this is so? The reason mentioned was the following:

Choice D is awkward and unidiomatic, and nonsensically suggests that a hundred years is defined as a period beginning in 1788

I really could not understand this logic..maybe it's very simple and i am missing something here. :