Below the Salt is the fourth studio album by Steeleye Span and their first after they joined the Chrysalis label.

The album takes medieval influence and combines it with the band's British folk rock style.

The lineup on the album includes Bob Johnson and Rick Kemp making their debuts in the band.

[1] By this point, Ashley Hutchings had left the band, leaving Tim Hart and Maddy Prior as the only remaining founding members.

[2] Tracks were mainly chosen by Hart and Prior, but it was Johnson who suggested the band add their Christmas hit "Gaudete".