Initially, Brandenburg shares the regency with Wolfgang Wilhelm, Count Palatine of Neuburg (1587-1653) who also makes a claim to inheritance. In the Treaty of Xanten, Elector John Sigismund is ascribed sole government in the Duchy of Cleves, the Ravenstein dominion in the Netherlands and the counties of Mark and Ravensburg. Jülich and Berg pass to Palatinate-Neuburg. As a consequence, John Sigismund gains feudal rights in the Duchy of Prussia. The inheritances in the East and West mark the start of the slow but inexorable ascent of the Electoral Brandenburg and Prussia. The division into eastern and western regions proves to be characteristic for the further state-building. Diverse cultural spheres merge and exert mutual influence, and must also grow and mature into a structured system.