Bishop of the Diocese of Santander fled to Asturias and Galicia, Portugal and England, 1808

1808 Thomas Rafael Menéndez de Luarca y Queipo de Llano (1743 - 1819) bishop of the Diocese of Santander from 1784 until his death. Regent of Cantabria during the War of Spanish Independence; elected deputy for Asturias in 1813; Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III. ruler of Cantabria in the name of Fernando VII, with treatment Alteza.1 He organized the so-called "Cantabrian Armament" which was defeated by the French. He later fled to Asturias and Galicia, Portugal and England. He did not return to his seat until the return of Fernando VII to Spain and the restoration of absolutism in 1814.