 Some authors assume he was killed in the Battle of Trsat, even though Trsat was neither located at the coast nor having a city status at the time.According to the Frankish scholar and courtier Einhard, Eric was killed by the treachery of the Tharsatica inhabitants, but Einhard does not give any details.This is quite typical of the times that chronicles would justify lost battles by 'treason' rather than to admit defeat.