diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index 92e29983b..81f9a1aa2 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,15 +1,86 @@
-For the next release
-====================
+Synapse 1.20.0rc1 (2020-09-08)
+==============================
 
 Removal warning
 ---------------
 
-Some older clients used a
-[disallowed character](https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/r0.6.1#post-matrix-client-r0-register-email-requesttoken)
-(`:`) in the `client_secret` parameter of various endpoints. The incorrect
-behaviour was allowed for backwards compatibility, but is now being removed
-from Synapse as most users have updated their client. Further context can be
-found at [\#6766](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/6766).
+Some older clients used a [disallowed character](https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/r0.6.1#post-matrix-client-r0-register-email-requesttoken) (`:`) in the `client_secret` parameter of various endpoints. The incorrect behaviour was allowed for backwards compatibility, but is now being removed from Synapse as most users have updated their client. Further context can be found at [\#6766](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/6766).
+
+Features
+--------
+
+- Add an endpoint to query your shared rooms with another user as an implementation of [MSC2666](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2666). ([\#7785](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/7785))
+- Iteratively encode JSON to avoid blocking the reactor. ([\#8013](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8013), [\#8116](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8116))
+- Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests). ([\#8034](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8034), [\#8092](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8092), [\#8095](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8095), [\#8142](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8142), [\#8152](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8152), [\#8157](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8157), [\#8158](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8158), [\#8176](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8176))
+- Use the default template file when its equivalent is not found in a custom template directory. ([\#8037](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8037), [\#8107](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8107), [\#8252](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8252))
+- Add unread messages count to sync responses, as specified in [MSC2654](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2654). ([\#8059](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8059), [\#8254](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8254), [\#8270](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8270), [\#8274](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8274))
+- Optimise `/federation/v1/user/devices/` API by only returning devices with encryption keys. ([\#8198](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8198))
+
+
+Bugfixes
+--------
+
+- Fix a memory leak by limiting the length of time that messages will be queued for a remote server that has been unreachable. ([\#7864](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/7864))
+- Fix `Re-starting finished log context PUT-nnnn` warning when event persistence failed. ([\#8081](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8081))
+- Synapse now correctly enforces the valid characters in the `client_secret` parameter used in various endpoints. ([\#8101](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8101))
+- Fix a bug introduced in v1.7.2 impacting message retention policies that would allow federated homeservers to dictate a retention period that's lower than the configured minimum allowed duration in the configuration file. ([\#8104](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8104))
+- Fix a long-standing bug where invalid JSON would be accepted by Synapse. ([\#8106](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8106))
+- Fix a bug introduced in Synapse v1.12.0 which could cause `/sync` requests to fail with a 404 if you had a very old outstanding room invite. ([\#8110](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8110))
+- Return a proper error code when the rooms of an invalid group are requested. ([\#8129](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8129))
+- Fix a bug which could cause a leaked postgres connection if synapse was set to daemonize. ([\#8131](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8131))
+- Clarify the error code if a user tries to register with a numeric ID. This bug was introduced in v1.15.0. ([\#8135](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8135))
+- Fix a bug where appservices with ratelimiting disabled would still be ratelimited when joining rooms. This bug was introduced in v1.19.0. ([\#8139](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8139))
+- Fix logging in via OpenID Connect with a provider that uses integer user IDs. ([\#8190](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8190))
+- Fix a longstanding bug where user directory updates could break when unexpected profile data was included in events. ([\#8223](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8223))
+- Fix a longstanding bug where stats updates could break when unexpected profile data was included in events. ([\#8226](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8226))
+- Fix slow start times for large servers by removing a table scan of the `users` table from startup code. ([\#8271](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8271))
+
+
+Updates to the Docker image
+---------------------------
+
+- Fix builds of the Docker image on non-x86 platforms. ([\#8144](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8144))
+- Added curl for healthcheck support and readme updates for the change. Contributed by @maquis196. ([\#8147](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8147))
+
+
+Improved Documentation
+----------------------
+
+- Link to matrix-synapse-rest-password-provider in the password provider documentation. ([\#8111](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8111))
+- Updated documentation to note that Synapse does not follow `HTTP 308` redirects due to an upstream library not supporting them. Contributed by Ryan Cole. ([\#8120](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8120))
+- Explain better what GDPR-erased means when deactivating a user. ([\#8189](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8189))
+
+
+Internal Changes
+----------------
+
+- Add filter `name` to the `/users` admin API, which filters by user ID or displayname. Contributed by Awesome Technologies Innovationslabor GmbH. ([\#7377](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/7377), [\#8163](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8163))
+- Reduce run times of some unit tests by advancing the reactor a fewer number of times. ([\#7757](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/7757))
+- Don't fail `/submit_token` requests on incorrect session ID if `request_token_inhibit_3pid_errors` is turned on. ([\#7991](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/7991))
+- Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await. ([\#8071](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8071), [\#8072](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8072), [\#8074](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8074), [\#8075](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8075), [\#8076](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8076), [\#8087](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8087), [\#8100](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8100), [\#8119](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8119), [\#8121](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8121), [\#8133](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8133), [\#8156](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8156), [\#8162](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8162), [\#8166](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8166), [\#8168](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8168), [\#8173](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8173), [\#8191](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8191), [\#8192](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8192), [\#8193](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8193), [\#8194](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8194), [\#8195](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8195), [\#8197](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8197), [\#8199](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8199), [\#8200](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8200), [\#8201](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8201), [\#8202](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8202), [\#8207](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8207), [\#8213](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8213), [\#8214](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8214))
+- Remove some unused database functions. ([\#8085](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8085))
+- Add type hints to various parts of the codebase. ([\#8090](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8090), [\#8127](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8127), [\#8187](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8187), [\#8241](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8241), [\#8140](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8140), [\#8183](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8183), [\#8232](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8232), [\#8235](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8235), [\#8237](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8237), [\#8244](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8244))
+- Return the previous stream token if a non-member event is a duplicate. ([\#8093](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8093), [\#8112](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8112))
+- Separate `get_current_token` into two since there are two different use cases for it. ([\#8113](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8113))
+- Remove `ChainedIdGenerator`. ([\#8123](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8123))
+- Reduce the amount of whitespace in JSON stored and sent in responses. ([\#8124](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8124))
+- Update the test federation client to handle streaming responses. ([\#8130](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8130))
+- Micro-optimisations to `get_auth_chain_ids`. ([\#8132](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8132))
+- Refactor `StreamIdGenerator` and `MultiWriterIdGenerator` to have the same interface. ([\#8161](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8161))
+- Add functions to `MultiWriterIdGen` used by events stream. ([\#8164](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8164), [\#8179](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8179))
+- Fix tests that were broken due to the merge of 1.19.1. ([\#8167](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8167))
+- Make `SlavedIdTracker.advance` have the same interface as `MultiWriterIDGenerator`. ([\#8171](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8171))
+- Remove unused `is_guest` parameter from, and add safeguard to, `MessageHandler.get_room_data`. ([\#8174](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8174), [\#8181](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8181))
+- Standardize the mypy configuration. ([\#8175](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8175))
+- Refactor some of `LoginRestServlet`'s helper methods, and move them to `AuthHandler` for easier reuse. ([\#8182](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8182))
+- Fix `wait_for_stream_position` to allow multiple waiters on same stream ID. ([\#8196](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8196))
+- Make `MultiWriterIDGenerator` work for streams that use negative values. ([\#8203](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8203))
+- Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures. ([\#8204](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8204), [\#8205](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8205), [\#8222](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8222), [\#8224](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8224), [\#8225](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8225), [\#8231](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8231), [\#8233](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8233), [\#8234](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8234))
+- Fix type hints for functions decorated with `@cached`. ([\#8240](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8240))
+- Remove obsolete `order` field from federation send queues. ([\#8245](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8245))
+- Stop sub-classing from object. ([\#8249](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8249))
+- Add more logging to debug slow startup. ([\#8264](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8264))
+- Do not attempt to upgrade database schema on worker processes. ([\#8266](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8266), [\#8276](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/8276))
 
 
 Synapse 1.19.1 (2020-08-27)
diff --git a/changelog.d/7377.misc b/changelog.d/7377.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index b3ec08855..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/7377.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add filter `name` to the `/users` admin API, which filters by user ID or displayname. Contributed by Awesome Technologies Innovationslabor GmbH.
diff --git a/changelog.d/7757.misc b/changelog.d/7757.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 091f40382..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/7757.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Reduce run times of some unit tests by advancing the reactor a fewer number of times.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/7785.feature b/changelog.d/7785.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index c7e51c932..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/7785.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add an endpoint to query your shared rooms with another user as an implementation of [MSC2666](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2666).
diff --git a/changelog.d/7864.bugfix b/changelog.d/7864.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 8623355fe..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/7864.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix a memory leak by limiting the length of time that messages will be queued for a remote server that has been unreachable.
diff --git a/changelog.d/7991.misc b/changelog.d/7991.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 1562e3af9..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/7991.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Don't fail `/submit_token` requests on incorrect session ID if `request_token_inhibit_3pid_errors` is turned on.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8013.feature b/changelog.d/8013.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index b1eaf1e78..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8013.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Iteratively encode JSON to avoid blocking the reactor.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8034.feature b/changelog.d/8034.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8034.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8037.feature b/changelog.d/8037.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 2e5127477..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8037.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Use the default template file when its equivalent is not found in a custom template directory.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/8059.feature b/changelog.d/8059.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index feb02be23..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8059.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add unread messages count to sync responses, as specified in [MSC2654](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2654).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8071.misc b/changelog.d/8071.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8071.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8072.misc b/changelog.d/8072.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8072.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8074.misc b/changelog.d/8074.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8074.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8075.misc b/changelog.d/8075.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8075.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8076.misc b/changelog.d/8076.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8076.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8081.bugfix b/changelog.d/8081.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 9ebcbf5b8..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8081.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix `Re-starting finished log context PUT-nnnn` warning when event persistence failed.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8085.misc b/changelog.d/8085.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index c3da1e297..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8085.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Remove some unused database functions.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8087.misc b/changelog.d/8087.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8087.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8090.misc b/changelog.d/8090.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 725a03ae8..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8090.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `synapse.handlers.room`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8092.feature b/changelog.d/8092.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8092.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8093.misc b/changelog.d/8093.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 80045dde1..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8093.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Return the previous stream token if a non-member event is a duplicate.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8095.feature b/changelog.d/8095.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8095.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8100.misc b/changelog.d/8100.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8100.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8101.bugfix b/changelog.d/8101.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 703bba423..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8101.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Synapse now correctly enforces the valid characters in the `client_secret` parameter used in various endpoints.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8104.bugfix b/changelog.d/8104.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index e32e2996c..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8104.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix a bug introduced in v1.7.2 impacting message retention policies that would allow federated homeservers to dictate a retention period that's lower than the configured minimum allowed duration in the configuration file.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8106.bugfix b/changelog.d/8106.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index c46c60448..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8106.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix a long-standing bug where invalid JSON would be accepted by Synapse.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8107.feature b/changelog.d/8107.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 2e5127477..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8107.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Use the default template file when its equivalent is not found in a custom template directory.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/8110.bugfix b/changelog.d/8110.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 5269a232e..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8110.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix a bug introduced in Synapse 1.12.0 which could cause `/sync` requests to fail with a 404 if you had a very old outstanding room invite.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8111.doc b/changelog.d/8111.doc
deleted file mode 100644
index d3f743545..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8111.doc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Link to matrix-synapse-rest-password-provider in the password provider documentation.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8112.misc b/changelog.d/8112.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 80045dde1..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8112.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Return the previous stream token if a non-member event is a duplicate.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8113.misc b/changelog.d/8113.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 00bec4f8e..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8113.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Separate `get_current_token` into two since there are two different use cases for it.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8116.feature b/changelog.d/8116.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index b1eaf1e78..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8116.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Iteratively encode JSON to avoid blocking the reactor.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8119.misc b/changelog.d/8119.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8119.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8120.doc b/changelog.d/8120.doc
deleted file mode 100644
index 877ef79fd..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8120.doc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Updated documentation to note that Synapse does not follow `HTTP 308` redirects due to an upstream library not supporting them. Contributed by Ryan Cole.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/8121.misc b/changelog.d/8121.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8121.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8123.misc b/changelog.d/8123.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 724512289..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8123.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Remove `ChainedIdGenerator`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8124.misc b/changelog.d/8124.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 9fac71020..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8124.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Reduce the amount of whitespace in JSON stored and sent in responses.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8127.misc b/changelog.d/8127.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index cb557122a..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8127.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `synapse.storage.database`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8129.bugfix b/changelog.d/8129.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 79eae9db6..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8129.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Return a proper error code when the rooms of an invalid group are requested.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8130.misc b/changelog.d/8130.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 7944c09ad..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8130.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Update the test federation client to handle streaming responses.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8131.bugfix b/changelog.d/8131.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 5110f235d..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8131.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix a bug which could cause a leaked postgres connection if synapse was set to daemonize.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8132.misc b/changelog.d/8132.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 7afa267c6..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8132.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Micro-optimisations to get_auth_chain_ids.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8133.misc b/changelog.d/8133.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8133.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8135.bugfix b/changelog.d/8135.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 9d5c60ea0..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8135.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Clarify the error code if a user tries to register with a numeric ID. This bug was introduced in v1.15.0.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8139.bugfix b/changelog.d/8139.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 21f65d87b..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8139.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fixes a bug where appservices with ratelimiting disabled would still be ratelimited when joining rooms. This bug was introduced in v1.19.0. 
diff --git a/changelog.d/8140.misc b/changelog.d/8140.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 78d883432..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8140.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `synapse.state`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8142.feature b/changelog.d/8142.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8142.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8144.docker b/changelog.d/8144.docker
deleted file mode 100644
index 9bb5881fa..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8144.docker
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix builds of the Docker image on non-x86 platforms.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8147.docker b/changelog.d/8147.docker
deleted file mode 100644
index dcc951d8f..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8147.docker
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Added curl for healthcheck support and readme updates for the change. Contributed by @maquis196.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8152.feature b/changelog.d/8152.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8152.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8156.misc b/changelog.d/8156.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8156.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8157.feature b/changelog.d/8157.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8157.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8158.feature b/changelog.d/8158.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 47c4c3916..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8158.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
- Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8161.misc b/changelog.d/8161.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 89ff274de..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8161.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor `StreamIdGenerator` and `MultiWriterIdGenerator` to have the same interface.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8162.misc b/changelog.d/8162.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index e26764dea..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8162.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
- Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8163.misc b/changelog.d/8163.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index b3ec08855..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8163.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add filter `name` to the `/users` admin API, which filters by user ID or displayname. Contributed by Awesome Technologies Innovationslabor GmbH.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8164.misc b/changelog.d/8164.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 55bc079cd..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8164.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add functions to `MultiWriterIdGen` used by events stream.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8166.misc b/changelog.d/8166.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8166.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8167.misc b/changelog.d/8167.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index e2ed9be7a..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8167.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix tests that were broken due to the merge of 1.19.1.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8168.misc b/changelog.d/8168.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8168.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8171.misc b/changelog.d/8171.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index cafbf23d8..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8171.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Make `SlavedIdTracker.advance` have the same interface as `MultiWriterIDGenerator`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8173.misc b/changelog.d/8173.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8173.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8174.misc b/changelog.d/8174.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index a39e9eab4..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8174.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Remove unused `is_guest` parameter from, and add safeguard to, `MessageHandler.get_room_data`.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/8175.misc b/changelog.d/8175.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 28af294dc..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8175.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Standardize the mypy configuration.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8176.feature b/changelog.d/8176.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 813e6d090..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8176.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add support for shadow-banning users (ignoring any message send requests).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8179.misc b/changelog.d/8179.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 55bc079cd..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8179.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add functions to `MultiWriterIdGen` used by events stream.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8181.misc b/changelog.d/8181.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index a39e9eab4..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8181.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Remove unused `is_guest` parameter from, and add safeguard to, `MessageHandler.get_room_data`.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/8182.misc b/changelog.d/8182.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 4fcdf1c45..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8182.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor some of `LoginRestServlet`'s helper methods, and move them to `AuthHandler` for easier reuse.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/changelog.d/8183.misc b/changelog.d/8183.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 78d883432..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8183.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `synapse.state`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8187.misc b/changelog.d/8187.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index cb557122a..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8187.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `synapse.storage.database`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8189.doc b/changelog.d/8189.doc
deleted file mode 100644
index 800ff89dc..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8189.doc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Explain better what GDPR-erased means when deactivating a user.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8190.bugfix b/changelog.d/8190.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index bf6717ab2..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8190.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix logging in via OpenID Connect with a provider that uses integer user IDs.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8191.misc b/changelog.d/8191.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8191.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8192.misc b/changelog.d/8192.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8192.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8193.misc b/changelog.d/8193.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8193.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8194.misc b/changelog.d/8194.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8194.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8195.misc b/changelog.d/8195.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8195.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8196.misc b/changelog.d/8196.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index c42baf0e5..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8196.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix `wait_for_stream_position` to allow multiple waiters on same stream ID.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8197.misc b/changelog.d/8197.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8197.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8198.feature b/changelog.d/8198.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index c4401288b..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8198.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Optimise `/federation/v1/user/devices/` API by only returning devices with encryption keys.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8199.misc b/changelog.d/8199.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8199.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8200.misc b/changelog.d/8200.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8200.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8201.misc b/changelog.d/8201.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8201.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8202.misc b/changelog.d/8202.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8202.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8203.misc b/changelog.d/8203.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 9fe2224aa..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8203.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Make `MultiWriterIDGenerator` work for streams that use negative values.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8204.misc b/changelog.d/8204.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8204.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8205.misc b/changelog.d/8205.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index fb8fd8327..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8205.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
- Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8207.misc b/changelog.d/8207.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8207.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8213.misc b/changelog.d/8213.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index dfe4c0317..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8213.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8214.misc b/changelog.d/8214.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index e26764dea..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8214.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
- Convert various parts of the codebase to async/await.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8222.misc b/changelog.d/8222.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8222.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8223.bugfix b/changelog.d/8223.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 60655ce3e..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8223.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fixes a longstanding bug where user directory updates could break when unexpected profile data was included in events.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8224.misc b/changelog.d/8224.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8224.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8225.misc b/changelog.d/8225.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8225.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8226.bugfix b/changelog.d/8226.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index 60bdff576..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8226.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix a longstanding bug where stats updates could break when unexpected profile data was included in events.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8231.misc b/changelog.d/8231.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8231.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8232.misc b/changelog.d/8232.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 3a7a352c4..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8232.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `StreamStore`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8233.misc b/changelog.d/8233.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8233.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8234.misc b/changelog.d/8234.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 979c8b227..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8234.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Refactor queries for device keys and cross-signatures.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8235.misc b/changelog.d/8235.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 3a7a352c4..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8235.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `StreamStore`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8237.misc b/changelog.d/8237.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 29d946cde..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8237.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix type hints in `SyncHandler`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8240.misc b/changelog.d/8240.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index acfbd89e2..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8240.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix type hints for functions decorated with `@cached`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8241.misc b/changelog.d/8241.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index cb557122a..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8241.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to `synapse.storage.database`.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8242.feature b/changelog.d/8242.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index f6891e360..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8242.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Back out experimental support for sharding event persister. **PLEASE REMOVE THIS LINE FROM THE FINAL CHANGELOG**
diff --git a/changelog.d/8244.misc b/changelog.d/8244.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index e65007222..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8244.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add type hints to pagination, initial sync and events handlers.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8245.misc b/changelog.d/8245.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 545c4c426..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8245.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Remove obsolete `order` field from federation send queues.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8249.misc b/changelog.d/8249.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 6a42e8a4e..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8249.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Stop sub-classing from object.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8252.feature b/changelog.d/8252.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index 7e69b7242..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8252.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Use the default template file when its equivalent is not found in a custom template directory.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8254.feature b/changelog.d/8254.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index feb02be23..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8254.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add unread messages count to sync responses, as specified in [MSC2654](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2654).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8264.misc b/changelog.d/8264.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index 600b17565..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8264.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add more logging to debug slow startup.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8266.misc b/changelog.d/8266.misc
deleted file mode 100644
index e7c899bea..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8266.misc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Do not attempt to upgrade upgrade database schema on worker processes.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8270.feature b/changelog.d/8270.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index feb02be23..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8270.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add unread messages count to sync responses, as specified in [MSC2654](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2654).
diff --git a/changelog.d/8271.bugfix b/changelog.d/8271.bugfix
deleted file mode 100644
index b75f07b03..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8271.bugfix
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Fix slow start times for large servers by removing a table scan of the `users` table from startup code.
diff --git a/changelog.d/8274.feature b/changelog.d/8274.feature
deleted file mode 100644
index feb02be23..000000000
--- a/changelog.d/8274.feature
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-Add unread messages count to sync responses, as specified in [MSC2654](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/2654).
diff --git a/docs/systemd-with-workers/system/matrix-synapse-worker@.service b/docs/systemd-with-workers/system/matrix-synapse-worker@.service
index 39bc5e88e..cb5ac0ac8 100644
--- a/docs/systemd-with-workers/system/matrix-synapse-worker@.service
+++ b/docs/systemd-with-workers/system/matrix-synapse-worker@.service
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Synapse %i
 AssertPathExists=/etc/matrix-synapse/workers/%i.yaml
+
 # This service should be restarted when the synapse target is restarted.
 PartOf=matrix-synapse.target
 
+# if this is started at the same time as the main, let the main process start
+# first, to initialise the database schema.
+After=matrix-synapse.service
+
 [Service]
 Type=notify
 NotifyAccess=main
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index 1282d19b3..f4aca64be 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     pass
 
-__version__ = "1.19.1"
+__version__ = "1.20.0rc1"
 
 if bool(os.environ.get("SYNAPSE_TEST_PATCH_LOG_CONTEXTS", False)):
     # We import here so that we don't have to install a bunch of deps when