# Death of Eric Bloodaxe ends Viking kingship at York (954)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/954-death-of-eric-bloodaxe-ends-viking-kingship-at-york
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

Northumbria came under permanent control of the English kings after Eric's expulsion and death. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 954 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The event completed the political unification of England under the West Saxon dynasty.

## Why it matters
The event completed the political unification of England under the West Saxon dynasty.

Ruler at the time: [Eadred](https://english-history.com/rulers/eadred)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Death of Eric Bloodaxe ends Viking kingship at York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Death+of+Eric+Bloodaxe+ends+Viking+kingship+at+York&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Death of Eric Bloodaxe ends Viking kingship at York](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Death+of+Eric+Bloodaxe+ends+Viking+kingship+at+York)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%28before_1000%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)