What was the original title of the book that formed the basis for the film "Kes"?

Directed by Ken Loach (born 1936) the 1969 film "Kes", is widely recognised as one of the masterpieces of British cinema, with its gritty portrayal of Northern working-class life, and a magnificent performance from the then-unknown youngster David Bradley as the human protagonist, Billy.

The film takes its inspiration from a book published the previous year by Barry Hines (1939-2016) with the title of "A Kestrel for a Knave". Although very much set in the (then) present-day world, the origins of this are historical - in the Middle Ages, a kestrel was the only bird of prey that lower-class people were permitted to keep.

Although there are some differences between the book and the film, both centre on Billy, born into a violent and dysfunctional family, who finds and rears a female kestrel, whom he calls Kes, with the help of a book he steals on the subject. He is encouraged by a sympathetic teacher called Mr. Farthing. The story does not end happily. Billy is told to place a bet for his half-brother, Jud, but on hearing that the horse is considered a no-hoper, he uses the money to buy food for Kes instead. However, against the odds, the horse wins, and Jud kills Kes in a fit of rage.