Burdett's birthplace and date are not known but she was the daughter (possibly only child) of Elizabeth and William Francis of the small hamlet of Foremark.

Her mother's father was William Francis and she came from the south Derbyshire village of Ticknall.

She is presumed to have been a minor when she married Thomas Burdett from Bramcote in Warwickshire as he was not yet an adult.

She may have held a salon as part of the circle of John Newdigate who later wrote poetry about her abilities.

[3] A painting made of the family in about 1620 is in the National Portrait Gallery.