Charles was born into an old Gascon family, the son of Arnaud, Lord of Albret, and Margaret de Bourbon. He fought under Bertrand du Guesclin as a young man. He was made the constable of France by Charles VI in 1402, but dismissed when the Burgundian faction gained power at court. He was restored to his office in 1413 when the Armagnac faction regained power.[citation needed]