In 1095 Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade, and the Christian knights of Europe responded chanting "God Wills It". European knights had fought Islamic forces since the 8th. century. Yet the First Crusade was not directed at Islam itself but rather the Seljuk Turks who took over the Holy Land and were intolerant towards Christians. Once the crusade was finished, most of the surviving crusaders returned home. This created an immediate problem as to how would the newly won Crusader States be protected. The Knights Templar became that  reliable fighting force thus becoming the first international standing army. The opportunity came in 1118 when an idealistic band of knights led by Hughues de Payens offered their services to protect pilgrims en route to the Holy Places. Organizing themselves into a religious community, vows were made to the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem, provided them with quarters in what had been the al-Aqsa Mosque, thought to be part of Solomon's Temple. They became known as the "Temple Knights". The Order of the Temple was recognized and approved by Pope Honorious II. This New Knighthood blended knights and monastic life, and these soldier monks would fight to protect Christian interests. Over 7000 strong at their peak, they eventually became an autonomous corporate body answerable only to the Pope. Through donations of land and money and Papal and Royal exemptions the Templars became economically independent and eventually set up the first European-wide system of banking. Their independence allowed the Templars to be able to create an effective fight force, a naval fleet, and a defensive system of fortresses. They were given exclusive use of the Red Cross or Cross Pattee on their mantles symbolic of their willingness to shed blood for Christianity. Described as "lions in battle", thousands of Templars gave their lives in defense of the Crusader States.