n.
City (pop., 2002 est.: 267,197), western Germany.
Founded in 804 as a bishopric, it was named Münster in 1068 and was chartered in 1137. A member of the Hanseatic League from the 13th century, it was seized by the Anabaptist s in 1535. The Peace of Westphalia was signed in Münster in 1648, and in 1815 Münster became the capital of Prussian Westphalia . Although it suffered heavy damage in World War II, most of its historic buildings were restored or rebuilt, including the 13th-century cathedral and 14th-century town hall. It is a centre of Westphalian culture.