[1] He was the younger son of Guy III d'Espinay († 1551) and his wife Louise de Goulaine.
He initially became a prior of Saint-Exupère in Gahard and of Saint-Jacques de Bécherel and abbot commendatory to the abbaye Saint-Gildas-des-Bois.
On 29 May 1560 he was made bishop of Dol and as such he took part in the Council of Trent in December 1562, at which he was entrusted with several negotiations.
He took the oath of allegiance to his bishop and was consecrated on 16 September 1565, entering the canonical chapter in February 1566.
After his brother Antoine's death fighting for the League on 7 January 1591, Charles himself took over the defence of Dol.