<P> His ideas came from the legend of Richard Cabell (d. 1677), of Brook Hall, in the parish of Buckfastleigh, Devon, which was the fundamental inspiration for the Baskerville tale of a hellish hound and a cursed country squire . Cabell's tomb survives in the village of Buckfastleigh . </P> <P> Squire Richard Cabell lived for hunting and was what in those days was described as a' monstrously evil man' . He gained this reputation for, amongst other things, immorality and having sold his soul to the Devil . There was also a rumour that he had murdered his wife, Elizabeth Fowell, a daughter of Sir Edmund Fowell, 1st Baronet (1593--1674), of Fowelscombe . On 5 July 1677, he died and was laid to rest in the sepulchre . The night of his interment saw a phantom pack of hounds come baying across the moor to howl at his tomb . From that night on, he could be found leading the phantom pack across the moor, usually on the anniversary of his death . If the pack were not out hunting, they could be found ranging around his grave howling and shrieking . In an attempt to lay the soul to rest, the villagers built a large building around the tomb, and to be doubly sure a huge slab was placed . </P> <P> Moreover, Devon's folklore includes tales of a fearsome supernatural dog known as the Yeth hound that Conan Doyle may have heard . </P> <P> It is believed by Weller (2002) that Baskerville Hall is based on one of three possible houses on or near Dartmoor, namely Fowelscombe in the parish of Ugborough, the seat of the Fowell Baronets; Hayford Hall, near Buckfastleigh (also owned by John King (d. 1861) of Fowelscombe) and Brook Hall, in the parish of Buckfastleigh, about two miles east of Hayford, the actual home of Richard Cabell (d. 1677), husband of Elizabeth Fowell . It has also been claimed that Baskerville Hall is based on a property in Mid Wales, built in 1839 by one Thomas Mynors Baskerville . The house was formerly named Clyro Court and was renamed Baskerville Hall towards the end of the last century . Arthur Conan Doyle was apparently a family friend who often stayed there and may have been aware of a local legend of the hound of the Baskervilles . </P>

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