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 Anabaptists 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