In the middle of the 9th century William, the son of the Frankish nobelwoman Dhuoda, was held hostage by Charles the Bald. At the same time, Dhuoda's younger son was missing, lost in war. Dhuoda expressed her concern by writing a guide for her son, urging him to live a life of moral, religious and military responsibility. This remarkable source for life within a Carolingian aristocratic home is translated into English here and is preceded by an introduction that discusses the content and significance of the work.