<P> In Münster, negotiations took place between the Holy Roman Empire and France, as well as between the Dutch Republic and Spain . Münster had been, since its re-Catholicisation in 1535, a strictly mono - denominational community . It housed the Chapter of the Prince - Bishopric of Münster . Only Roman Catholic worship was permitted, while Calvinism and Lutheranism were prohibited . </P> <P> Sweden preferred to negotiate with the Holy Roman Empire in Osnabrück, controlled by the Protestant forces . Osnabrück was a bidenominational Lutheran and Catholic city, with two Lutheran churches and two Catholic churches . The city council was exclusively Lutheran, and the burghers mostly so, but the city also housed the Catholic Chapter of the Prince - Bishopric of Osnabrück and had many other Catholic inhabitants . Osnabrück had been subjugated by troops of the Catholic League from 1628--33 and then taken by Lutheran Sweden . </P> <P> The peace negotiations had no exact beginning and ending, because the 109 delegations never met in a plenary session . Instead, various delegations arrived between 1643--46 and left between 1647--49 . The largest number of diplomats were present between January 1646 and July 1647 . </P> <P> Delegations had been sent by 16 European states, 66 Imperial States representing the interests of 140 Imperial States, and 27 interest groups representing 38 groups . </P>

Which country rose to power as a result of the peace of westphalia