From 1154 the bishops of Geneva had the status of prince of the Holy Roman Empire since 1154 , but the counts of Geneva and later the counts of Savoy were `` guardians '' , always ready to take over from the bishops . The bishops of Geneva had the status of prince of the Holy Roman Empire since 1154 , but had to maintain a long struggle for their independence against the guardians ( advocati ) of the see , the counts of Geneva and later the counts of the House of Savoy .