With the urn already retained the all-important series victory was almost certain on Thursday, but by coating the job, after a battling eighth-wicket stand and a check for rain, Andrew Strauss' side ensured the 3-1 scoreline they so richly deserved.
The perimeter in Sydney was an innings and 83 - their third innings success of the tour - statistics that have short of the long barren run in Australia which saw five unsuccessful tours in a row.
The wickets to pass were Peter Siddle for a brave 43, Ben Hilfenhaus (seven) and Michael Beer, whose dismissal at the men of Chris Tremlett ushered in the end of a remarkable series for Andrew Strauss' men.
After England had worn a blank against Australia's eighth-wicket pair in the additional half-hour on Thursday night, heavy showers delayed them further.
Play got under way on time. But Steve Smith and Siddle soon took their stubborn stand beyond 50, and survived five overs before more rain arrived to cross England.
They stood stiff and looked untroubled after the resumption too - and a bit new ball was beckoning by the time Siddle slog-swept Graeme Swann straight to James Anderson at deep midwicket, to go for a career-best 43 in a partnership of 86.
Chris Tremlett and Anderson, who began on Friday morning, returned when the new ball was taken and it was the latter - who has cemented his repute as a world-class attack leader during this series - who made it pay. He pitched one good to tailender Hilfenhaus, found a small drop and took the boundary of the bat to provide Matt Prior with an easy catch behind the stumps.
Smith (54 not out) was having some fun at the early end and passed 50 with a meaty four off Anderson.
Last man Beer was the last wicket to fall, caught back on the line by Tremlett and dragging onto the stumps to tee up ecstatic scenes from a jubilant England side.
England seal historic Ashes win 
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