Original: 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.
Simplified: 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.