He was the third son of Louis II, Duke of Anjou and King of Naples, and Yolande of Aragon.

In 1437, he took up arms on behalf of King Charles VII of France, participating in the capture of Montereau, and that of Pontoise, in 1441.

At this time, his brother, René of Anjou, ceded to him the County of Maine.

Charles also had an illegitimate daughter, Mary of Anjou, who married Thomas Courtenay, 6th Earl of Devon.

[5] He led the rearguard for King Louis XI of France at the Battle of Montlhéry in 1465.