Jordan College

Jordan College is a fictional college in the Oxford of Lyra's world, a universe parallel to our own, and the home of the trilogy's young heroine, Lyra Belacqua. It is part of Oxford University in her world and is headed by the Master of Jordan, who is raising the supposedly orphaned Lyra with the help of other college employees. Its location and layout are analogous to those of Exeter College, Philip Pullman's alma mater.

Lore & Background

Jordan is described as rambling above and below ground in a motley arrangement of buildings, cellars and tunnels built over several centuries. In Northern Lights, Lyra and her dæmon Pantalaimon witness the Master attempt to poison Lord Asriel, who has come to lecture the Fellows in the hope of raising money for an expedition; she then spies on his lecture about Dust. Before Lyra leaves Jordan with Mrs Coulter, the Master entrusts her with an alethiometer. Roger Parslow, Lyra's best friend, is the kitchen boy at the college. In The Amber Spyglass the Master offers Lyra a place to live at Jordan and funding for her education.

Reader's Guide

The name 'Jordan' was inspired partly by the area of Oxford known as Jericho, through which the Oxford Canal passes; a 'Jericho' also features in Northern Lights as a mooring point for the Gyptians' boats. Lord Asriel is a fellow of Jordan College and brought the infant Lyra there to be raised. The film The Golden Compass used Christ Church, Oxford, as Jordan College, and the television series used New College.