Matryona Ivanovna Balk (née Modesta Mons; fl. 1718) was a courtier in the Tsardom of Russia.

Early life

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.

Matryona Balk

Biography

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 mother of Natalia Lopukhina, famous for the Lopukhina affair.

Matryona Balk

See also

Natalia Lopukhina, her daughter

References

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

Matryona Balk

18th-century deaths

Ladies-in-waiting of the Tsardom of Russia