Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle

The Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle (German: Niederrheinisch-Westfälischer Reichskreis, Dutch: Nederrijns-Westfaalse Kreits) was an Imperial Circle of the Holy Roman Empire.

It comprised territories of the former Duchy of Lower Lotharingia, Frisia and the Westphalian part of the former Duchy of Saxony.

The circle was made up of numerous small states, however the Counts De la Marck were able to collect a significant amount of territories, the United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg from 1521 on.

The Empire's largest ecclesiastical territory was held by the Prince-Bishops of Münster.

1500: Bavarian, Swabian, Upper Rhenish, Lower Rhenish–Westphalian, Franconian, (Lower) Saxon

The Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle during the mid 16th century (after the Burgundian treaty of 1548 )
Historical map of the Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle of 1710 by Peter Schenk the Elder
Map of a large region (in white) including all the territory of modern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, plus parts of most neighbouring countries, including most of Northern Italy. Some of the northwest part region is highlighted in color, including Münster, most of the Netherlands and parts of modern Belgium.
The Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle (red) within the Holy Roman Empire (white) after 1548