Matryona Balk Explained

Matryona Ivanovna Balk
Birth Name:Modesta Mons
Noble Family:Mons family
Spouse:Friedrich Balk
Issue:Pavel Fedorovich Balk-Polev
Pyotr Fedorovich Balk
Natalia Lopukhina
Father:Johann Mons
Occupation:State Lady

Matryona Ivanovna Balk (;) was a courtier in Russia.[1]

Biography

Born into the Dutch Mons family, Modesta was the sister of Peter the Great's long-time mistress Anna Mons and Willem Mons, private secretary and alleged lover of Catherine I.

She was a lady-in-waiting and confidant of Catherine I of Russia, Ober-Hofmeisterin of Tsarevna Catherine Ivanovna of Russia and sister of Anna Mons. She was accused in 1718 for having assisted the empress in her love affair with her brother, Willem Mons.

She was the mother of Natalia Lopukhina, famous for the Lopukhina affair.

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Балк, Матрена Ивановна // Русский биографический словарь : в 25 томах. — СПб.—М., 1896—1918.