The Cloister and the Hearth (version 2) - Charles Reade

Set in the 15th century, the Cloister and the Hearth is a story Gerald Eliassoen, a young scribe and illuminator, who travels through seven different countries. Gerald is afraid of persecution from a burgomaster, and so he escapes from Rome to Holland, to search and find a place to make money for his family. His father and mother die, and Gerald's brothers decide to take most of the share, and instead tell Gerald that his wife, Margaret, has died. This was all a lie, but Gerald believed it, and decided to attempt suicide. But instead of killing himself and escaping death, he decides to become a friar. - (Summary by Elijah Fisher)