All of the interesting information that stems from this page comes from the last reference to Floris of Bruges.  When googling her, nothing came up, but when googling british-girl-channeling-dead-nun, something interesting did come up.

What came up was an article about Julie d’Aubingy.  Julie had a forbidden love affair with a woman and thus devised a plan to let them escape together. Julie was said to have taken the body of a dead nun, placed it in her lovers bed, and set the room on fire.  This description would explain why the woman in the novel had burns on her face, but still is a very strange reference.  From her actions, Julie was tried as a man, as she was disguised in mens clothing for her love affair, and then sentenced to death by fire.  However, Julie was able to escape to Paris.  In Paris Julie engaged in a duel with the dukes son, driving a sword through his shoulder.  Perhaps Straka used Julie here to communicate strength in his character.  However, this entire reference still seems very strange.