In December 1642, during the Civil War, Parliamentarian troops stormed the magnificent Winchester Cathedral, intent on destruction. The soldiers searched out 10 beautifully decorated wooden chests resting high up on the stone screens. Those chests contained some of England’s most venerated, ancient remains: The bones of 8 kings; 3 bishops; and a formidable queen, Emma of Normandy. The soldiers smashed several chests to the ground, using the bones as missiles to shatter the cathedral’s stained glass windows. Afterwards, the clergy scrambled to collect the scattered remains. In 2014, the 6 remaining chests were reopened. A team of forensic archaeologists attempted to identify the contents: They discovered an elaborate jumble of bones, including the remains of two forgotten princes. Cat Jarman builds on this evidence to untangle the stories of the people within.